Investigation of optical and electrical properties of MWCNT/rGO/poly(3-hexylthiophene) ternary composites

Filler-induced structural modification portrays a crucial role in altering physical properties of polymer composites. A new approach by introducing 1D and 2D nanostructures into the conjugated polymer matrix could enhance structural, optical and electrical properties of the composites. A ternary composite prepared by introducing different wt% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) host matrix has been investigated. Structural and morphological investigations revealed a change in the crystalline size as well as conjugation length of the polymer units that could be attributed for tailoring the optical, electrical as well as electrochemical properties of the composites. The π–π interaction has been attributed to the observed shift in the redox potentials after incorporation of MWCNTs and rGOs into the P3HT host matrix. Improvement in electrical properties of the composites after incorporation of MWCNTs and rGOs has been attributed to softening of the interfacial grain boundary by the 3D network structure created by the well-dispersed MWCNTs and rGOs in the P3HT matrix.