Enhancement of photoconduction in a conjugated polymer through doping with copper nanoparticles

We investigated the effect of doping with copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) on photoconductivity of poly(3-hexylthiophene) P3HT films. ∼20 nm Cu NPs were fabricated in a simple one step reduction process in hydrophobic environment. Structure, morphology and optical properties of the Cu nanoclusters were characterized. Films of P3HT containing Cu NPs were fabricated and their optical and electrical properties investigated. The results indicate that the change of the efficiency of the light absorption brought about by the effect of plasmonic resonances is minor, but there is a substantial influence of the metal nanoparticles on the efficiency of the photogeneration of charges in P3HT.

Graphical abstractPhotoconductivity in poly(3-hexylthiophene) is found to be enhanced on doping with copper nanoparticles. The effect is likely to arise from the involvement of Cu nanoparticles in the charge separation process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (131 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 20 nm Cu nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized. ► Poly(3-hexylthiophene) films doped with 20 nm Cu NPs were fabricated. ► Cu NPs do not markedly change the absorbance of the polymer spin-cast films. ► Doped films shows dark conduction of the same order of magnitude as pristine ones. ► Photoconduction is significantly enhanced with increasing Cu NPs content.