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

技术：该项目解决了碳纳米管/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；鉴定将与半导体碳纳米管形成II型（供体/受体）异质结的复合材料；碳纳米管/半导体混合物中激子解离和电荷收集机制的研究共混物中激子解离、电荷分离和电荷复合速率的量化定量分析了单分散半导体碳纳米管的电子亲和力和电离势。期望通过合成具有或多或少电负性的半导体的半导体碳纳米管的供体/受体混合物来解离和收集碳纳米管中的光生载流子。重点放在理解这种共混物的合成、加工、组成、形态和性质之间的相互关系。各种半导体将被研究以补充碳纳米管的共混物，包括富勒烯衍生物、半导体聚合物和半导体氧化物。共混物的形貌将通过扫描探针和电子显微镜表征，作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用于评估这些材料的光电性能。非技术：该项目涉及材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题，具有很高的技术相关性。这项研究将在基础水平上为材料科学的基础知识提供新的理解和能力，并有可能改善太阳能转化为电能的材料组合。科学考察也将培养学生；除了支持一名研究生外，该项目还将通过将本科生整合到研究环境中来促进教学，培训和学习。该项目还为PI的两名暑期学生提供支持。通过威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校的SURE/REU（夏季本科生研究经历和本科生研究经历）项目，他的实验室。SURE/REU项目主要支持代表性不足群体的学生。此外，该项目支持威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校的本科生学年。诸如伦理、如何有效地进行研究、问题解决、网络、研究安全、实验程序和结果展示等主题将与日常的实验室培训相结合。

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.