Synthesis of capped TiO{sub 2} nanocrystals of controlled shape and their use with MEH-PPV conjugated polymer to develop nanocomposite films for photovoltaic applications
This study presents the synthesis details of titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) nanoparticles (NPs) of different shapes (nanospheres, nanorods and nanorhombics) using oleic acid (OA) and oleyl amine (OM) as capping agents. In order to develop nanocomposite thin films for photovoltaic cells, these TiO{sub 2} NPs were carefully dispersed in 2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene (MEH-PPV) matrix. The properties of synthesized TiO{sub 2} NPs and MEH-PPV/TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence technique. It was found that the shape of NPs and the amount of OA and OM surfactants capped on their surface have an effect on their energy bandgap and also on the dispersion quality of MEH-PPV/TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites. Even though there was no evidence of chemical bonding between MEH-PPV matrix and TiO2 dispersed NPs, MEH-PPV/TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites showed very promising results for light absorption properties and charge transfer at the interface of the conjugated MEH-PPV matrix and TiO{sub 2} dispersed NPs, which are two main characteristics for photovoltaic materials.
- OSTI ID:
- 22270974
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1593; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
CHEMICAL BONDS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ENERGY GAP
INTERFACES
NANOSTRUCTURES
OLEIC ACID
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
THIN FILMS
TITANIUM OXIDES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY