P3HT-Based Semi-Conductive Electrospun Nanocomposite Fibrous Emitters Doped with CsPbBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots

Abstract

Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)-based semiconducting electrospun nanocomposite fibrous emitters were successfully fabricated by combining P3HT with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and commercially available CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). The latter were employed as a synergistic photoluminescence emitter of high efficiency within the P3HT/PEO blended polymer matrix, while PEO was used as an auxiliary polymer to assist the electrospinnability of P3HT. The produced materials were characterized with respect to their chemical composition and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (TEM/EDX) whereas fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy were employed to study their optical properties. Based on the obtained results, it was confirmed that the PQDs were successfully encapsulated within the electrospun fibers at a high percentage (10 wt.%), retaining at the same time their optical properties and nanoscale dimensions. Moreover, the experimental data obtained suggested the existence of inter-material interactions between P3HT and PQDs. Consequently, this study creates new pathways in the development of innovative fibrous nanocomposites with unique optoelectronic features, rendering them highly interesting in light-harvesting, sensing and optoelectronic applications. Graphic Abstract