Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of solution processable highly ordered polythiophene-carbon nanotube nanohybrid structures

We report on the synthesis and spectroscopic study of a novel highly ordered nanohybrid structure consisting of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coated with highly crystalline regio-regular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rrP3HT) and discuss the applicability of the nanohybrids in organic photovoltaics. The use of a solvent extraction technique allows the nanohybrids to be produced with a high yield and high purity. We find evidence that the crystallinity of rrP3HT is enhanced in the presence of SWNTs, which introduces a reduced optical band gap and increased carrier mobility in the polymer. Study of the photoluminescence excitation spectra of the SWNTs reveals an efficient energy transfer of excitons created on the rrP3HT to the SWNTs. This energy transfer is expected to limit our ability to use the nanohybrids as a charge separating interface and can therefore explain the low efficiency of P3HT-SWNT solar cells produced to date. In addition, careful consideration of the energy transfer is necessary when attempting to improve state of the art polymer-fullerene photovoltaic devices with SWNTs in order to make use of their high charge carrier mobilities and increased rrP3HT crystallinity.