Letter abstract
Nature Nanotechnology 3, 543 - 547 (2008)
Published online: 27 July 2008 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.206
Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanosensors and other devices | Organic-inorganic nanostructures
Nanoparticle-assisted high photoconductive gain in composites of polymer and fullerene
Hsiang-Yu Chen1, Michael K. F. Lo2, Guanwen Yang1, Harold G. Monbouquette2,3 & Yang Yang1,3
Abstract
Polymer–inorganic nanocrystal composites1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 offer an attractive means to combine the merits of organic and inorganic materials into novel electronic and photonic systems. However, many applications of these composites are limited by the solubility11 and distribution of the nanocrystals in the polymer matrices. Here we show that blending CdTe nanoparticles into a polymer–fullerene matrix followed by solvent annealing12 can achieve high photoconductive gain under low applied voltages. The surface capping ligand renders the nanoparticles highly soluble in the polymer blend, thereby enabling high CdTe loadings. An external quantum efficiency as high as 
8,000% at 350 nm was achieved at -4.5 V. Hole-dominant devices coupled with atomic force microscopy images show a higher concentration of nanoparticles near the cathode–polymer interface. The nanoparticles and trapped electrons assist hole injection into the polymer under reverse bias, contributing to efficiency values in excess of 100%.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
Correspondence to: Yang Yang1,3 e-mail: yangy@ucla.edu
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Organic electronics What's in a name?Nature Materials News and Views (01 Nov 2007)
Organic electronics Supra solutionsNature Materials News and Views (01 Aug 2004)
See all 3 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
Essential role of Id2 in negative regulation of IgE class switchingNature Immunology Article (01 Jan 2003)
High-efficiency solution processable polymer photovoltaic cells by self-organization of polymer blendsNature Materials Article (01 Nov 2005)
See all 56 matches for Research
