Phthalocyanines–MWCNT hybrid materials: Fabrication, aggregation and photoconductivity properties improvement

The 2,9,16-trilauryloxy-23-hexyloxy substituted copper phthalocyanines multiwall carbon nanotubes (CuPc(OC12H25)3(OC6H13)–MWCNT) hybrid materials were facilely prepared by a chemical functionalization method. The aggregation structures of resulting hybrid materials have been characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XRD and UV–vis measurements. The CuPc(OC12H25)3(OC6H13)–MWCNT hybrid materials exhibit good solution storage stability and a low aggregation tendency due to the chemical bonding between MWCNT and asymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines. The enhancement of the photoconductivity of phthalocyanines–MWCNT hybrid materials has been investigated in terms of interaction effects of phthalocyanines and MWCNT. It could supply a new way to fabricate a light energy conversion materials.