The effect of silver nanowires on the formation of aggregates of poly(3-hexylthiophene) in films deposited on reduced graphene oxide

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2021-07, Vol.23 (7), Article 153
• Main Authors: da Silva Gascho, Julia Lopes, da Costa, Sara Ferreira, Morcelles, Kaue Felipe, Filho, Pedro Bertemes, Recco, Abel André Cândido, Pezzin, Sérgio Henrique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregates; Cerium gadolinium oxides; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coatings; Composite materials; Dielectrics; Dip coatings; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Graphene; High aspect ratio; Immersion coating; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nanowires; Optical Devices; Optics; Oxide coatings; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Polymers; Research Paper; Silver; Toluene
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-021-05287-1

This work aimed to develop an innovative composite material consisting of graphene oxide films coated with silver nanowires (AgNWs)/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Translucent chemically reduced graphene oxide (CGO) films, presenting electrical conductivity of ca. 5.2 × 10 1 S/m, as well as graphene oxide (GO) films, have been coated with high aspect ratio AgNWs (78 ± 20 nm diameter and ca. 10-µm length) and undoped P3HT, by casting and dip-coating. The presence of AgNWs favored the formation of H-aggregates of P3HT, both in toluene solution and in the films, lowering the degree of ordering of P3HT chains. The nanowires also tend to agglomerate in the presence of the conjugated polymer during the preparation of casted and dip-coating films from toluene solutions. Thus, AgNWs/P3HT films presented capacitive impedances similar to that of dielectric materials, while AgNWs/P3HT/CGO films showed behavior of resistive materials with conductivities between 1.5 and 4.2 × 10 1 S/m. Impedance and UV–Vis results also suggest that casted films present a better organization of P3HT chains than those deposited by dip-coating.