Physical and electronic interactions between a straight chain conjugated polymer and single wall carbon nanotubes, probed by fluorescence spectroscopy

CHED 282

Steven Pellizzeri, Christopher Collison, cjcscha@rit.edu, and April Colleton. Department of Chemistry, Rochester Institute of Technology, College of Science, 85 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623
One approach towards increasing the efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices involves doping with carbon nanotubes that act as the electron transfer material. Yet the interactions between the nanotubes and conjugated polymers targeted for use in these photovoltaic devices are not well understood. We will present data on the interaction of a soluble phenylene-vinylene based conjugated polymer, poly(2-methoxy,5-(2'-ethylhexoxy)-paraphenylene-vinylene (MEH-PPV), and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT's) in dichlorobenzene solution and in thin films. Physical interaction will be inferred and quantified from UV-Vis absorption data and electronic interactions will be probed through fluorescence spectroscopy. This data will indicate ideal SWNT concentrations for maximum electronic interaction with the conjugated polymer, and suggest an optimal procedure for mixing nanotubes and conjugated polymers for spin-coating polymer based photovoltaic devices.