Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Based Nanocomposites for Photovoltaic Application: Functionalization, Structural, and Optical Properties

Abstract

We present a systematic review of nanostructured organic materials, including synthesis methods, functionalization, and applications. First, we report the chemical and physical procedures used for preparing the polymer/carbon nanotube composites described in the literature over the last decade. We compare the properties of different polymer-based prototypes of organic nanocomposites functionalized with carbon nanotubes. Theoretical and experimental vibrational investigations provide evidence of the molecular structure describing the interaction between both components, showing that the allowed amount of carbon nanotubes and their dispersion states differ across polymers. Moreover, the nature of the solvent used in the preparation has a significant impact on the dispersion process. The integration of these materials in photovoltaic applications is discussed, where the impact of nanoparticles is evidenced through the correlation between experimental analyses and theoretical approaches based on density functional theory. Alterations in optical properties, evaluated from the absorption and luminescence process, are coherent with the solar spectrum, and a good distribution of donor/acceptor interpenetration was observed. In all cases, it was demonstrated that the performance improvement is physically related to the charge transfer from the organic matrix to the nanoparticles.

Spectroelectrochemistry of Electroactive Polymer Composite Materials

“…Typical evolution of electron absorption spectra of PANI films in the course of electrosynthesis in the presence of PAMPSA is presented in Figure 11 a [ 86 ]. It is characteristic for aniline electropolymerization in aqueous solutions with inorganic acids [ 2 , 87 ]. The growth of absorption maximum at 640 nm is clearly seen.…”

“…Electroactive (EA) polymer functional materials have recently found wide application in designing organic and hybrid photovoltaic solar cells [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], organic light emitting diodes [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], electrochromic “smart windows” and displays [ 7 , 8 , 9 ], chemical [ 10 ] and biological [ 11 ] sensors. The main building blocks of numerous materials of this kind are aniline, thiophene, pyrrole and their derivatives.…”

Special Issue: Synthesis, Processing, Structure and Properties of Polymer Materials

“…In this Special Issue, 33 original articles have been published on various topics, including the preparation, characterization, and some examples of application of polymeric materials. This issue includes review articles [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] and research articles [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Another 5 papers were devoted to organic-inorganic materials [ 3 ] and polymer composites [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In the review paper of Ikake, Hara and Shimizu [ 3 ], the authors discussed the organic-inorganic hybrid materials which have become indispensable high-performance and highly functional materials.…”

Morphological and Electrical properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite with Graphene

“…In recent years, carbon-based nanomaterials (for example, carbon nanotubes-CNT, carbon nanofibers-CNF, and graphene derivatives) have emerged as the most important fillers for improving the physical properties of polymers [4,5]. Carbon nanotubes' superior structural and physical properties, such as one-dimensional (1D) geometry, extremely high aspect ratio, modulus of elasticity (200-1000 GPa) and strength (200-900 GPa), electrical and thermal conductivity, make them ideal candidates for nanofillers in advanced polymer nanocomposites [6][7][8]. Single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT or MWCNT) filled polymer composites can be created using in-situ polymerization, solution mixture, or meltmixing (extrusion and injection) techniques [9].…”