Chromophore Confinement into Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes : Supramolecular Organization and Physical Interactions
Résumé
1D hybrid nano-systems are elaborated with photo-active pi-conjugated molecules (quathertiophene and phathlocyanine) encapsulated into the hollow core of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We evidence that the supramolecular organizations of confined oligothiophenes (from 1 to 3 chains into a nanotube section) depend on the nanocontainer size. The physical interactions can switch from molecule-molecule to molecule-nanotube interactions depending on the tube diameter. In addition, permanent and photo-induced electron transfers are evidenced from the confined molecules to the nanotubes.
The supramolecular organization of MPc molecules is shown to be a 1D-phase for which the angle between the molecule ring and the nanotubes axis is close to 32°. Confined MPc molecules display Raman spectra hardly altered with respect to the bulk phase, suggesting a rather weak interaction with the tubes.