Controlling the morphological, structural, and optical properties of one-dimensional PCDTBT nanotubes by template wetting

Nanoscale Res Lett. 2014 Nov 5;9(1):600. doi: 10.1186/1556-276X-9-600. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis of poly [N-9'-heptadecanyl-2, 7-carbazole-alt-5, 5-(4', 7'-di-2-thienyl-2', 1', 3'-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) nanotubes via a templating method is reported. PCDTBT nanotubes were successfully grown by immersing the porous alumina template into 15 mg/ml of solution concentration for 2- and 24-h periods and annealed at 50°C. Changes in morphological and optical properties between nanotubes of different infiltration times (2 and 24 h) as well as its thin films are observed. The longer infiltration time of 24 h produced nanotubes with enhanced morphological, structural, and optical properties. Nanotubes that are formed between 2 and 24 h of infiltration show enhancement in absorption, photoluminescence, and shift in Raman peak if compared to their thin films.

Keywords: Infiltration; Nanotubes; PCDTBT; Porous alumina template.