Nanophotoactivity of Porphyrin Functionalized Polycrystalline ZnO Films

Nanoscale J-aggregates of poly(3-hexylthiophene): key to electronic interface interactions with graphene oxide as revealed by KPFM

The nanoscale aggregate structure of conjugated polymers critically determines the performance of organic thin film optoelectronic devices. Their impact on electronic interface interactions with adjacent layers of graphene, widely reported to improve the device characteristics, yet remains an open issue, which needs to be addressed by an appropriate benchmark system. Here, we prepared discrete ensembles of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanoparticles and graphene oxide sheets (P3HTNPs-GO) with well-defined aggregate structures of either J- or H-type and imaged their photogenerated charge transfer dynamics across their interface by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). A distinctive inversion of the sign of the surface potential and surface photovoltage (SPV) demonstrates that J-aggregates are decisive for establishing charge transfer interactions with GO. These enable efficient injection of photogenerated holes from P3HTNPs into GO sheets over a range of tens of nanometers, causing a slow SPV relaxation dynamics, and define their operation as an efficient hole-transport layer (HTL). Conversely, H-type aggregates do not facilitate specific interactions and entrust GO sheets the role of charge-blocking layers (CBLs). The direct effect of the aggregate structure of P3HT on the functional operation of GO as a HTL or CBL thus establishes clear criteria towards the rational design of improved organic optoelectronic devices.

Multiscale Functional Imaging of Interfaces through Atomic Force Microscopy Using Harmonic Mixing

The spatial resolution of atomic force microscopy (AFM) needed to resolve material interfaces is limited by the tip-sample separation ( d) dependence of the force used to record an image. Here, we present a new multiscale functional imaging technique that allows for in situ tunable spatial resolution, which can be applied to a wide range of inhomogeneous materials, devices, and interfaces. Our approach uses a multifrequency method to generate a signal whose d-dependence is controlled by mixing harmonics of the cantilever's oscillation with a modulated force. The spatial resolution of the resulting image is determined by the signal's d-dependence. Our measurements using harmonic mixing (HM) show that we can change the d-dependence of a force signal to improve spatial resolution by up to a factor of two compared to conventional methods. We demonstrate the technique with both Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and bimodal AFM to show its generality. Bimodal AFM with harmonic mixing actuation separates conservative from dissipative forces and is used to identify the regions of adhesive residue on exfoliated graphene. Our electrostatic measurements with open-loop KPFM demonstrate that multiple force modulations may be applied at once. Further, this method can be applied to any tip-sample force that can be modulated, for example, electrostatic, magnetic, and photoinduced forces, showing its universality. Because HM enables in situ switching between high sensitivity and high spatial resolution with any periodic driving force, we foresee this technique as a critical advancement for multiscale functional imaging.

A Functionalized Tetrakis(4-Nitrophenyl)Porphyrin Film Optical Waveguide Sensor for Detection of H₂S and Ethanediamine Gases

The detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ethanediamine, toxic gases that are emitted from industrial processes, is important for health and safety. An optical sensor, based on the absorption spectrum of tetrakis(4-nitrophenyl)porphyrin (TNPP) immobilized in a Nafion membrane (Nf) and deposited onto an optical waveguide glass slide, has been developed for the detection of these gases. Responses to analytes were compared for sensors modified with TNPP and Nf-TNPP composites. Among them, Nf-TNPP exhibited significant responses to H₂S and ethanediamine. The analytical performance characteristics of the Nf-TNPP-modified sensor were investigated and the response mechanism is discussed in detail. The sensor exhibited excellent reproducibilities, reversibilities, and selectivities, with detection limits for H₂S and ethanediamine of 1 and 10 ppb, respectively, and it is a promising candidate for use in industrial sensing applications.