A conjugated polyelectrolyte (figure 1) based on a polythiophene structure was synthesized to disperse and functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The polyelectrolyte/MWCNT hybrid was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, electrostatic and optoelectronic properties of the hybrid were investigated by electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) and photoconductive atomic force microscopy (PCAFM) respectively. EFM detected positive charges on the carbon nanotubes of the hybrid, suggesting that the MWCNTs were effectively wrapped by the polyelectrolyte. The current-voltage curves obtained by PCAFM were analyzed by the Simmons model. The analysis demonstrated that the equilibrium conductance of the hybrid was increased by approximately 100%.

Photoconductive atomic force microscopy of a conjugated polyelectrolyte/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid

247th National Meeting (2014)

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