Benoit Ruelle

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposites Based on Functional Regioregular Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes.

New functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene)s (P3HT) have been designed and synthesized with the aim of increasing the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in solutions and in thin films of semiconducting polymers. Dispersion in solution has been assessed by sedimentation tests while the thin film morphology has been analyzed by TEM and AFM. Both the physisorption of P3HT chains (via pyrene end-groups) or their chemical grafting (onto amine functions generated on the CNT surface) lead to a much better dispersion in solution and in the solid. In thin films, P3HT fibrils are observed to arrange perpendicular to the CNT surface, which can be understood on the basis of molecular modeling simulations. Finally, the effect of dispersing those P3HT/CNT nanocomposites in bulk-heterojunction P3HT-based photovoltaic devices has been evaluated.

14 – Surface treatment of carbon nanotubes using plasma technology

Abstract: The chapter begins by discussing carbon nanotube (CNT) surface chemistry and solution-based functionalization. It then reviews promising alternative ways to modify the CNT surface through plasma processes. Plasma treatments have the advantage of being non-polluting and provide a wide range of grafted functional groups, depending on the plasma parameters such as power, gases used, duration of treatment and gas pressure. However, the interaction of high energy particles with the CNT surface can induce damage in the CNT structure. A plasma post-discharge treatment, which can prevent the degradation of CNTs, is presented.