Structure and conductivity of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3-hexylthiophene) composite films

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) 2007-03, Vol.48 (6), p.1667-1678
• Main Authors: Musumeci, Anthony W., Silva, Glaura G., Liu, Jiang-Wen, Martens, Wayde N., Waclawik, Eric R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Conductivity; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene); Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2007.01.027

This work reports a structure–property investigation of a conjugated polymer nanocomposite with enhanced conductivity. Regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rrP3HT) was used to prepare composites with thin, short, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) addition over a wide range of concentrations. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies demonstrated an excellent dispersion and good wetting properties within the carbon nanotube composites. Coated MWNTs showed superstructures of P3HT self-organized on nanotube surfaces. Changes in the long range order and on the self-ordered mesophase of the bulk material were investigated by infrared and Raman spectroscopies, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Interplay between charge transport through the semiconducting polymer and carbon nanotube network increased the composite's conductivity after percolation to values close to 10 −2 S cm −1.