Entropic effects in CNT-induced polymer crystallization

Improved crystallinity of polythiophene derivatives is much desired for photovoltaic applications. We found that carbon nanotubes can improve the degree of crystallinity of polythiophene derivatives leading to a significant increase in the degree of crystallinity. The effect is attributed to conformational bias of chains adsorbed onto the CNT. Utilizing CNT to enhance the degree of crystallinity of soluble non-regioregular, commercially available P3AT derivatives may offer an alternative for covalent design of highly regular defect free materials.

Furthermore, the additives used in this study are expected to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of active layers prepared from fullerene-P3HT-CNT blends as CNT networks offer a pathway for non-hopping conductance of charge carriers  Polymer 2013.