Page 590 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Hybrid materials based on polymer nanocomposites for environmental applications 543

For batteries and photocatalysts, the incorporation of a polymer to the active inor-
ganic materials provides a host matrix to nanoparticles with good mechanical prop-
erties, simplifying the procedure for preparation and realization of devices.
Moreover, using polymer in composites can also improve the optical properties of
materials by extending the limited absorption spectrum of the inorganic component
in catalysts to visible range. In batteries, the polymer composites can enhance the ionic
conductivity of electrolytes and can form a protecting layer for electrodes, which
ensures the safety in practical use.
For OPVs and OLEDs, hybrid composites are generally obtained by adding inor-
ganic nanoparticles including QDs to the polymer matrix or by depositing polymer
films onto inorganic nanostructured layers (nanorods and nanowires). The composites
show an enhanced electric conductivity compared with that of the polymer used alone;
thus, an enhanced performance of morphologies could provide particular advantages
over the standard materials and devices. Furthermore, they provide an enhanced sta-
bility by the presence of inorganic components and consequently an enhanced lifetime
of the devices.
Hybrid polymer composites with nanostructured morphology are promising mate-
rials for building devices to ensure technology progress in view of protection of the
environment. It is also desirable to reduce the consumption of the natural energy
resources and meanwhile to keep developing materials and devices in a cheaper
and more efficient way to improve our everyday life comforts while respecting and
protecting efficiently the environment. By this way, we can reasonably address what
is now turning out to be the most important problem for the society and then to expect
a brighter and a greener future for the Earth.

References

[1] Liu J, Wang W, Yu H, Wu Z, Peng J, Cao Y. Surface ligand effects in MEH-PPV/TiO 2
hybrid solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 2008;92:1403–9.
[2] Kwong CY, Choy WCH, Djurisic AB, Chui PC, Cheng KW, Chan WK. Poly(3-
hexylthiophene):TiO 2 nanocomposites for solar cell applications. Nanotechnology
2004;15:1156–61.
[3] Bhongale CJ, Thelakkat M. Efficient hybrid polymer/titania solar cells sensitized with car-
boxylated polymer dye. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 2010;94:817–22.
[4] Chuang CH, Lin YY, Tseng YH, Chu TH, Lin CC, Su WF, et al. Nanoscale morphology
control of polymer/TiO 2 nanocrystal hybrids: photophysics, charge generation, charge
transport, and photovoltaic properties. J Phys Chem C 2010;114:18717–24.
[5] Dridi C, Barlier V, Chaabane H, Davenas J, Ouada HB. Investigation of exciton photodis-
sociation, charge transport and photovoltaic response of poly(N-vinyl carbazole):TiO 2
nanocomposites for solar cell applications. Nanotechnology 2008;19:375201.
[6] Yang SH, Nguyen TP, Le Rendu P, Hsu CS. Optical and electrical investigations of poly
(p-phenylene vinylene)/silicon oxide and poly(p-phenylene vinylene)/titanium oxide
nanocomposites. Thin Solid Films 2005;471:230–5.
[7] Yang SH, Nguyen TP, Le Rendu P, Hsu CS. Optical and electrical properties of PPV/SiO 2
and PPV/TiO 2 composite materials. Compos Part A 2005;36:509–13.