Infiltrating P3HT polymer into ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays

Abstract

AbstractInfiltration of regioregular poly(3‐hexyl thiophene) (RR P3HT) polymer into ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays is confirmed by UV–Vis absorption spectrometer measurement, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF‐SIMs) depth profiling and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays of thickness 19 µm were formed by 2‐step anodization of titanium foil in an ethylene‐glycol‐based solution and a dip‐coating method was used to infiltrate the polymer into the TiO2 nanotubes. UV–Vis absorption spectrometer measurement of P3HT/TiO2 nanotubes shows a peak absorption at 500 nm due to embedded polymer within the nanotube arrays. TOF‐SIMs depth profiling up to 500 nm shows P3HT polymer is infiltrated into the TiO2 nanotube arrays. Furthermore, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) of the TEM indicates the presence of sulfur and carbon atoms due to the P3HT polymer. Polymer nanotubes can be observed with SEM after TiO2 nanotubes infiltrated with polymer are etched by dilute HF solution.