Photoinduced electron transfer at conjugated polymer/inorganic semiconductor nanoparticle interfaces

FUEL 267

Tianquan Lian, tlian@emory.edu, Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322
Nanocomposites of conjugated polymers and inorganic nanomaterials show great promise for photovoltaic applications. Optimization and improvement of device efficiency requires a detailed understanding of the dynamics of charge separation across the conjugated polymer-nanoparticle interface. In this paper, we examine electron transfer dynamics from polyphenylenevinylene (PPV) and polythiophene (PT) to various semiconductor nanoparticles. These particles range from wide gap metal oxides (TiO2, SnO2, In2O3), to doped nanoparticles (Sb:SnO2), and quantum dots. Charge separation dynamics were measured by transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible and infrared. We discuss how the charge separation dynamics depends on the nature of the semiconductor (conduction band edge and density of states), doping level and extent of quantum confinement. These dynamics will be compared with those at the molecule-nanoparticle interface.