Molecular-resolved imaging of conductive polymer self-organization at single-walled carbon nanotube interfaces

John M. Bell; Roland G. S. Goh; Nunzio Motta; Anthony Musumeci; Eric R. Waclawik

doi:10.1117/12.680116

30 August 2006 Molecular-resolved imaging of conductive polymer self-organization at single-walled carbon nanotube interfaces

John M. Bell, Roland G. S. Goh, Nunzio Motta, Anthony Musumeci, Eric R. Waclawik

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6325, Physical Chemistry of Interfaces and Nanomaterials V; 632503 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680116
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Molecular-resolved real-space images of self-assembled structures of the conductive polymer regioregular poly(3- hexylthiophene) (rrP3HT) on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were obtained using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The STM images revealed that the adsorbed polymer typically formed a 10 nm thick coating on SWNT's. This is in agreement with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results for drop-cast composite films that provided strong evidence that SWNTs were isolated in a polymer matrix and coated with rrP3HT multilayers. A 10 nm thick deposit corresponds to a coating of ~25 layers of polymer on SWNT, assuming that π-π interactions between rrP3HT layers determine deposition and that the underlying SWNT directs the polymer self-assembly process. STM measurements of adsorbed monolayers and multilayers of rrP3HT on SWNT surfaces were compared to rrP3HT monolayer and multilayer deposition on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces. The average inter-lamellar distances of adsorbed polymer was greater for both rrP3HT monolayer and multilayer films adsorbed onto the curved surfaces of SWNTs than on the flat surfaces of HOPG samples. Analysis of STM images yielded the interchain spacings of adsorbed macromolecules, d_cc = 1.55 - 1.68 ± 0.02 nm. The polymer was observed to wrap around some SWNTs at an angle with respect to the SWNT long-axis, which indicated that the rrP3HT self-assembly is hierarchical. The conductive polymer's deposition appears to occur with epitaxy and is directed by the underlying SWNT chiral structure.

Citation Download Citation

John M. Bell, Roland G. S. Goh, Nunzio Motta, Anthony Musumeci, and Eric R. Waclawik "Molecular-resolved imaging of conductive polymer self-organization at single-walled carbon nanotube interfaces", Proc. SPIE 6325, Physical Chemistry of Interfaces and Nanomaterials V, 632503 (30 August 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680116

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available