Conjugated polymers, such as regioregular poly(3-alkyl thiophenes), are well known to crystallize as extended one-dimensional nanowires or fibrils.  These structures are not only important in determining the charge transport characteristics of device layers, but can also provide a driving force to assemble different semiconducting components into nanoscale heterostructures of well-defined architecture.  We have studied a variety of routes to assemble such structures that rely on solution-state crystallization of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT).  In one example, we have co-organized of P3HT fibrils with CdSe nanoparticles through both co-crystallization of freely dissolved and particle-bound P3HT, as well as through nanoparticle adsorption to ligand-functionalized nanowire surfaces.  In another case, we have studied the formation of hybrid nanostructures during simultaneous crystallization of P3HT and conjugated small molecules.  We seek to understand the mechanisms by which these heterostructure form and the influence on photophysical properties of the constituent materials.

Organizing conjugated polymer heterostructures by solution crystallization

245th National Meeting (2013)

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