A copolymer of PVK and P3HT and its nanocomposite with single-walled carbon nanotubes

A new copolymer based on poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) denoted PVK-HeT was synthesized by chemical oxidative way. Spectroscopic investigations based on infrared analysis show the formation of bicarbazilium units by chemical inter or intra cross-linking of carbazole units altogether with the formation of P3HT main chain. Photophysical properties of the synthetized copolymer were investigated by means of steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements and compared to those of standard P3HT. Compared to pristine P3HT, fluorescence spectra of PVK-HeT present a blue shift, as well as an enhancement of the quantum yield. The incorporation of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into the PVK-HeT matrix induces a deep modification of the optical properties showing an intensive interaction of the π-system with SWNTs accompanied with charge transfer between the prepared copolymer and carbon nanotubes in solution.