Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-semiconductor nanoparticle composite thin films tethered to indium tin oxide substrates via electropolymerization

Nanocomposite thin films are described which have been created from electropolymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and new forms of ligand-capped CdSe nanoparticles (NP), using carboxylate ligands with 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) capping groups (ProDOT-CA). A thin PEDOT film is first tethered to an indium tin oxide electrode, followed by electrochemical cross-linking of the ligand-capped nanoparticle with the PEDOT film. The resultant thin film material photoelectrochemically reduces solution C₆₀ at potentials positive of its E°, where the PEDOT film is reduced (de-doped) and capable of hole capture from the photoexcited NP. This approach is distinctive from solution cast polymer/CdSe hybrid materials in that it enables direct wiring of the nanoparticle to the donor polymer and hole collecting electrode.