D K Chambers et al 2008 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20 382202 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/20/38/382202
D K Chambers1, Z Zhang2, F Khatkhatay1, S Karanam1, O Kizilkaya3, Y B Losovyj3 and S Zivanovic Selmic1
Show affiliationsThe positions of the molecular orbitals of the conjugated semiconducting polymer, poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV), relative to the Fermi level, shift when lead selenide (PbSe) quantum dots or the fullerene based molecule [(6)]-1-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)propyl)-[(5)]-1-phenyl-[5,6]-C61, known as PCBM, are dispersed in the polymer host. This is evident from the consistent shifts of occupied molecular orbitals and the valence band edge to greater binding energies and a decrease in density of states near the Fermi level, as probed by photoemission. In the case of PbSe nanocrystal quantum dots, far smaller binding energy shifts were observed. This behavior seems more characteristic of a charge donor, though PbSe and PCBM should act as charge acceptors. In the case of both dopants, what doping does exist occurs only with small concentrations (<10%). MEH-PPV doped with a large-Z semiconducting material, such as PbSe nanocrystal quantum dots, is a candidate for use as a good gamma radiation detector.
71.20.Rv Polymers and organic compounds
71.15.Nc Total energy and cohesive energy calculations
Soft matter, liquids and polymers
Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical
Surfaces, interfaces and thin films
Issue 38 (24 September 2008)
Received 1 August 2008, in final form 4 August 2008
Published 21 August 2008
D K Chambers et al 2008 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20 382202
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