Polymer–Nanocarbon Topological and Electronic Interface

Abstract

The electronic structure of semiconducting carbon nanotubes selected through polymer functionalization is routinely verified by measuring the spectral van Hove singularity signature under ultraclean vacuum conditions. Interpreting the effect of unperturbed polymer adsorption on the nanotube energetic bands in solvent media is experimentally challenging owing to solvent molecular crowding around the hybrid complex. Here, a liquid-based scanning tunneling microscope and spectroscope operating in a noise-free laboratory is used to resolve the polymer-semiconducting carbon-nanotube-underlying graphene heterostructure in the presence of encompassing solvent molecules. The spectroscopic measurements highlight the role of polymer packing and graphene landscape on the electronic shifts induced in the nanotube energy bands. Together with molecular dynamics simulations, our experimental findings emphasize the necessity of recording physicochemical and electronic properties of liquid-phase solubilized hybrid materials in their native state.

Efficient Selective Sorting of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes Using Ultra-Narrow-Band-Gap Polymers

“…The absorption data demonstrate that the more planar polymers PNDITEG-TVT and PNDIC8TEG-TVT have a lower capability of dispersing (but not selecting for) s-SWCNT than the less planar PNDITEG-AH . The higher ability of PNDITEG-AH for dispersing s-SWCNT is likely a result of the twist in the head-to-head bithiophene moiety that favors a helical conformation for wrapping nanotubes. ,− The minor difference between PNDITEG-AH and PNDITEG-TVT indicates that inserting a vinylene linker into PNDITEG-AH (thus forming PNDITEG-TVT ) did not significantly sacrifice wrapping capability. Although the planar polymer PNDITEG-TVT is less prone to form a helical conformation to wrap s-SWCNT as compared with PNDITEG-AH , the extended π-conjugation gives rise to a strong π–π intermolecular interaction, which enhances π–π interaction between the polymer chains and the s-SWCNT. ,, Therefore, PNDITEG-TVT remains capable of wrapping the s-SWCNT, but the lower band gap compared to PNDITEG-AH should be beneficial to charge transport.…”

Design and Efficiency Analysis of Nanocarbon Interconnect Structures

“…They are an excellent choice for nanoelectronic components. Further, CNT in combination with polymer in the ratio of 1:2 can also be used as electronic interfaces [18]. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are best suited elements for the manufacture of flexible electronic devices [19].…”