Determination of the structure, morphology and complex refractive index in ZnO-nanopencils/P3HT hybrid structures

Well crystallized flower-shaped ZnO-structures composed of a perfectly hexagonal-shaped ZnO structure were successfully synthesized using a simple microwave assisted hydrothermal method. The NPs with a hexagonal stem and a tapering tip grows out of the base of the flower-shapes. ZnO-NPs were incorporated into the nanomorphology of P3HT and two variations of P3HT:C60 and P3HT:PCBM blended films in order to facilitate charge separation and transport. Thermo-gravimetric analysis revealed that ZnO-NPs are more stable and are of high purity. A complete PL quenching was demonstrated upon incorporating ZnO-NPs on the surface of P3HT and blended films indicating a charge transfer along the ZnO/P3HT and ZnO/P3HT:fullerenes induced by the aligned nanorods which are working as effective electron collectors by shortening the average electron diffusion distance in the P3HT and fullerenes network. Spectroscopic ellipsometry demonstrated that infiltrating of ZnO-NPs, results in the improved refractive index, extinction coefficient and shifts to lower photon energies. Such shifts can be inferred to the improved light absorption through the waveguide effect from the NPs and an increased interfacial area between the ZnO-NPs and P3HT. An improvement in the mobility and conductivity of P3HT films was observed with an incorporation of ZnO.