|
|
|
|
Topic Name: Nano-Confinement Induced Chain Alignment in Ordered P3HT Nanostructures Defined by Nanoimprint Lithography
Category: Nanocharacterization
Research persons: Mukti Aryal, Krutarth Trivedi ,Wenchuang Hu
Location: Dallas, United States
Details
Control of polymer morphology and chain orientation is of great importance in
organic solar cells and field effect transistors (OFETs). Here we report the use
of nanoimprint lithography to fabricate large-area, high-density, and ordered
nanostructures in conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) or P3HT, and also to
simultaneously control 3D chain alignment within these P3HT nanostructures.
Out-of-plane and in-plane grazing incident X-ray diffraction were used to
determine the chain orientation in the imprinted P3HT nanostructures, which
shows a strong dependence on their geometry (gratings or pillars). Vertical
chain alignment was observed in both nanogratings and nanopillars, indicating
strong potential to improve charge transport and optical properties for solar
cells in comparison to bulk heterojunction structure. For P3HT nanogratings, π−π
stacking along the grating direction with an angular distribution of ±20° was
found, which is favorable for OFETs. We propose the chain alignment is induced
by the nanoconfinement during nanoimprinting via π−π interaction and hydrophobic
interaction between polymer chain and mold surfaces.
About the researchers :
Mukti Aryal Krutarth Trivedi
Wenchuang (Walter) Hu
Department of Electrical Engineering,
The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
| Tags: |
polymer morphology - organic solar cells and field effect transistors - OFETs - nanoimprint lithography - P3HT nanostructures - |
| Research Documents: |
|
| Related research: |
A new technique for nanolithography, A reliable, reproducible method for parallel fabrication of multiple nanogap electrodes, A system for manipulating and precisely positioning individual nanowires on semiconductor wafers., A way to switch a material’s magnetic properties from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ and back again, Big future beckons for tiny chips, Determine nanotech risks, Develop lultrasmal low-cost recipe for patterning microchips, Discovery opens the way with the development of new nanostructurés materials, Exchange transition phenomenon involving ambient gas and water molecules, Gecko Tape: Special tips on gecko hairs can grip and release., Hidden Order Found in a Quantum Spin Liquid, How to drastically change the properties of certain materials by confining their molecules in nanospaces, Increasingly fast transistors containing carbon nanotubes…, Knowing when to fold : Engineers use 'nano-origami' to build tiny electronic devices, Microscopic "nanolamps" -- light-emitting nanofibers about the size of a virus or the tiniest of bacteria, Nano-objects: the promise of heart-architecture multicouronnes, NanoPen: Dynamic, Low-Power, and Light-Actuated Patterning of Nanoparticles, New nanoscale experiments offer to teach blind and visually impaired students a, New Physical Phenomenon Seeing High Frequency Waves by Combining Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Shock Waves, Physicists have built single nanotube that makes world's smallest radio, Researchers can experiment important properties for the conversion of sunlight into electricity Using nanotechnology, Researchers make carbon nanotubes without metal catalyst : Oxides, as well as metals, seem to be able to sprout carbon nanotubes, study finds, Study Finds Quantum Dots Nanoparticles Can Penetrate Skin Through Minor Abrasions, Using Nanotubes in Computer Chips : A new technique for growing carbon nanotubes should be easier to integrate with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes
|
|
|
|
