Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/gold nanoparticle hybrid system with an enhanced photoresponse for light-controlled electronic devices

Light-controlled electrical behavior of polymer/nanoparticle hybrid system in ambient condition is demonstrated. By embedding gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) matrix, the photoresponses of the nanocomposite films are enhanced. The electrical behavior of the P3HT/Au NPs nanocomposite transistors and inverters are tuned over a wide range in depletion mode. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and steady-state photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy are used to analyze the nanocomposite films. The findings provide a better understanding of light-induced threshold voltage shifts of P3HT-based field-effect transistors and inverters and demonstrate their potential applications in electronic signal modulation for solution-processed integrated circuits. The electrical behavior of a poly(3-hexylthiophene)/gold nanoparticle nanocomposite film is controlled by light with enhanced photoresponse. Spectroscopic methods are used to analyze the nanocomposite films. The findings demonstrate the potential applications in electronic signal modulation for solution-processed integrated circuits. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.