Dissociating the Carbon Nanotube Exciton in Organic- and Inorganic- Semiconductor Blends

技术：该项目致力于CNT/聚合物/无机复合材料在高效光伏操作中的潜力。该方法包括：使用湿化学和基于溶液的共混技术合成半导体碳纳米管与有机和无机半导体的共混物;表征这些共混物的内部形态作为加工条件和材料选择的函数;识别将形成II型半导体的复合材料。具有半导体碳纳米管的（施主/受主）异质结;研究以确定负责碳纳米管/半导体共混物中激子解离和电荷收集的机制;共混物中激子解离、电荷分离和电荷重组的速率的量化;以及单分散半导体碳纳米管的电子亲和势和电离势的定量。预计碳纳米管中的光生电荷载流子可以通过合成半导体碳纳米管与或多或少的电负性半导体的供体/受体共混物来解离和收集。重点放在理解之间的相互关系的合成，加工，组成，形态和性能的共混物。将研究各种半导体来补充混合物中的碳纳米管，包括富勒烯衍生物、半导体聚合物和半导体氧化物。共混物的形态将通过扫描探针和电子显微镜表征为加工条件和材料选择的函数。电子输运，光致发光猝灭，光谱分辨光电流和瞬态光诱导吸收测量将被用来评估这些材料的光电性能。非技术性：该项目涉及具有高度技术相关性的材料科学专题领域的基础研究问题。该研究将在基础层面上为材料组合的新理解和能力提供基础材料科学知识，并有可能改善太阳能转化为电能的能力。科学调查还将培训学生;除了支持一名研究生外，该项目还将通过将本科生融入研究环境来促进教学，培训和学习。该项目还为PI的两名暑期学生提供支持？通过UW-Madison的SURE/REU（夏季本科生研究经验和本科生研究经验）计划，SURE/REU计划主要支持代表性不足的学生。此外，该项目支持一个学年的威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校的本科生。主题，如道德，如何有效地做研究，解决问题，网络，研究安全，实验程序和结果演示将与日常实验室培训相结合。

Technical: This project addresses the potential of CNT/polymer/inorganic composite materials for efficient photovoltaic operation. The approach includes: synthesis of blends of semiconducting carbon nanotubes with organic and inorganic semiconductors using wet chemical and solution-based blending techniques; characterization of the internal morphology of these blends as a function of processing conditions and materials selection; identification of composite materials that will form a type II (donor/acceptor) heterojunction with semiconducting carbon nanotubes; studies to determine mechanisms responsible for exciton dissociation and charge collection in carbon nanotube/semiconductor blends; quantification of rates for exciton dissociation, charge separation, and charge recombination in the blends; and, quantification of the electron affinity and ionization potential of monodisperse semiconducting carbon nanotubes. It is expected that photogenerated charge carriers in carbon nanotubes can be dissociated and collected by synthesizing donor/acceptor blends of semiconducting carbon nanotubes with more or less electronegative semiconductors. Emphasis is placed on understanding the interrelationship between synthesis, processing, composition, morphology, and properties of such blends. A variety of semiconductors will be investigated to complement the carbon nanotubes in the blends including fullerene-derivatives, semiconducting polymers, and semiconductor oxides. The morphology of the blends will be characterized via scanning probe and electron microscopy as a function of the processing conditions and materials selections. Electronic transport, photoluminescence quenching, spectrally resolved photocurrent, and transient photo-induced absorption measurements will be used to assess the optoelectronic properties of these materials. Non-Technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science having high technological relevance. The research will contribute basic materials science knowledge at a fundamental level to new understanding and capabilities for materials combinations with potential for improvements in conversion of solar power to electricity. The scientific investigations will also train students; in addition to supporting one graduate student, the project will promote teaching, training, and learning through the integration of undergraduate students into a research setting. The project also provides support for two summer students in the PI?s laboratory through UW-Madison's SURE/REU (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience and Research Experience for Undergraduates) program. The SURE/REU program primarily supports students in under-represented groups. Additionally, the project supports a UW-Madison undergraduate student for the academic year. Topics such as ethics, how to do research efficiently, problem solving, networking, research safety, experimental procedure, and results presentation will be integrated with day-to-day laboratory training.