Interaction of oxygen with nanocomposites made of n-type conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes: role of charge transfer complex formation between nanotubes and poly(3-octylthiophene)

Photo-induced conductivity changes in n-doped poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT)/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) composites have been examined. When exposed simultaneously to ultraviolet (UV) light and oxygen, carbon nanotubes exhibit photo-induced oxidation. An analysis of n-doped P3OT/SWNT composite exposed to oxygen/UV shows that conductivity increases and that charge carrier mobility is governed by the formation of a charge transfer complex. Possible sites of oxygen photoadsorption and its implications on the observed electrical properties of nanocomposite are considered.