Light-triggered conducting properties of a random carbon nanotubes network in a photochromic polymer matrix

R. Castagna; C. Sciascia; A. R. Srimath Kandada; M. Meneghetti; G. Lanzani; C. Bertarelli

doi:10.1117/12.893958

19 September 2011 Light-triggered conducting properties of a random carbon nanotubes network in a photochromic polymer matrix

R. Castagna, C. Sciascia, A. R. Srimath Kandada, M. Meneghetti, G. Lanzani, C. Bertarelli

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8101, Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Associated Devices IV; 81010C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893958
Event: SPIE NanoScience + Engineering, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Photochromic materials reversibly change their colour due to a photochemical reaction that takes place when the material is irradiated with photons of suitable energy. This peculiar feature has been extensively exploited to develop smart sunglasses, filters and inks. With a proper molecular design it is possible to enable modulation not only of colour but also of other properties such as refractive index, dipole moment, nonlinear optical properties or conductivity by a photoswitching of the molecular structure. The approach herein developed consists in modifying, upon irradiation, the properties of a molecular component coupled with the photochromic molecule. In particular, the switching features of photochromic systems are matched with the intriguing peculiar properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A photochromic polyester has been properly synthesised to be used as switching polymer matrix coupled with a network of CNTs. Irradiation of the polymer/CNTs blend results into a light-triggered conductance switching. The reversible electrocyclization of the polymer under UV-vis illumination results into a modification of the inter-tube charge mobility, and accordingly, of the overall resistance of the blend. Solution techniques allow us to obtain blended films with sheet resistance modulation larger than 150%, good thermal stability and fatigue resistance at room conditions, in an easier, faster and scalable way as respect to the single-molecule approach.ÿ

Citation Download Citation

R. Castagna, C. Sciascia, A. R. Srimath Kandada, M. Meneghetti, G. Lanzani, and C. Bertarelli "Light-triggered conducting properties of a random carbon nanotubes network in a photochromic polymer matrix", Proc. SPIE 8101, Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Associated Devices IV, 81010C (19 September 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.893958

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