(428e) Characterization and Processing/Property Relationships of Semiconducting Polythiophene Nanotubes by Template Wetting Nanofabrication

Due to their inherently short carrier diffusion lengths, there has been much interest in development of seminconducting polymer nanostructures. Among the techniques nanofabrication techniques reported in the literature for such polymers are electrochemical deposition and electro-spinning techniques. We examine nanotubes of a common polythiophene polymer (P3HT) fabricated using template wetting nanofabrication in this work, both examining the effects of process parameters on nanotube properties and comparing the nanotubes to conventional thin films of P3HT. Specifically, the effects of pore size, solvent, and molecular weight were examined. Characterization techniques employed include SEM, UV-vis spectroscopy, polarized light FTIR spectroscopy, and current voltage characterization of simple devices. Significant improvement in hole mobility is observed in the nanotube devices as compared with thin-film devices. Results also indicated increased molecular order and a significant narrowing of the valence band structure in the nanotubes as compared to thin films.