8 - π-Stacking, conjugated, polymer-supported carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite materials for light-emitting diode (LED) application

Abstract

This chapter deals with the fundamental concept of the design, synthesis, functionalization, and characterization of photosensitive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polymeric hybrid π-conjugated materials for commercial light-emitting diode (LED) applications. The composite materials are synthesized by the functionalization of CNTs with highly conjugated organic dye-sensitized polymeric molecules. The composite materials could possess broad wavelength absorption, strong fluorescence, high surface area, and superhydrophobic surfaces, which are highly essential toward LED applications. The composite materials contain electron donor and electron acceptor groups. The donor molecules obtained from the organic polymer units such as tripheneylamine (TPA), thiadiazole, carbazole, pyrazoline, and the acceptor group chosen are CNTs. The D-π-A type and stacking alignment of the combined nanocarbon and organic molecules could increase the electron flow, intramolecular charge transfer, and hydrophobic nature of the composite material. Thus, the hybrid molecules have longer wavelength absorption, high luminance, and low bandgap energy material. Conjugated polymer molecule systems have advantages over π-stacking in a system in terms of an easy-to-make layer formation on respected CNTs. These favorable aspects imply that carbon nanotube polymer nanocomposites (CNT-PNCs) could have a role in LEDs as well as optoelectronics applications.