Preparation of composites based in poly(3-hexylthiophene) and freeze-dried cellulose nanocrystals by a simple method, and their characterization

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) composites were prepared by a simple mixing method. The influence of the CNC incorporation on the properties of the composite was investigated. CNC were obtained from filter paper and purified by an acid hydrolysis process. P3HT was synthesized by direct oxidation of 3HT monomer using ferric chloride as oxidant. CNC were freeze-dried before mixing with P3HT. P3HT/CNC composites were prepared at different concentrations (P3HT/CNC weight ratio: 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 5/95). P3HT, freeze-dried CNC and composites were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, UV-vis, XRD, cyclic voltammetry, and FE-SEM. Composites showed greater thermal stability than the freeze-dried CNC up to a 75 wt% CNC concentration. The increased ordering of P3HT chains in the composites was confirmed by XRD and UV-vis. Incorporating up to 50 wt% CNC in P3HT improved electrochemical stability. Charge storage in the composites increased with the P3HT content. P3HT/CNC composites exhibit interesting physicochemical properties that could be useful for optoelectronic device applications.