The enhancement of photoresponse of an ordered inorganic-organic hybrid architecture by increasing interfacial contacts

Nanotechnology. 2010 Feb 10;21(6):065304. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/6/065304. Epub 2010 Jan 8.

Abstract

A modified ZnO quantum dot/polythiophene (ZnO/PTh) inorganic-organic hybrid architecture was fabricated by using ordered mesoporous silica (SBA-15) as the retaining template. First, a two-step strategy was developed to synthesize an ordered organic conducting polymer composite (PTh/SBA-15). Then, ZnO quantum dots were in situ formed on the pore walls of the ordered PTh/SBA-15 composite. Photoresponse of the inorganic-organic hybrid was studied with respect to its incident photon to collected electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) and morphology. The presence of SBA-15 proved to be critical for controlling the interfacial morphology and hence enlarging the interfacial area of the inorganic-organic heterojunction. The proposed approach may act as a key method to open up potential applications in photovoltaic devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't