Electrochemical synthesis of CdTe nanocrystal/polypyrrole composites for optoelectronic applications

Electrochemical polymerisation has been found to be a convenient method for the synthesis of a thin film composite of a conducting polymer (polypyrrole) and strongly luminescent CdTe semiconductor nanocrystals. Optimal conditions (relatively low anodic potential, neutral pH, aqueous solution) for the synthesis of uniform high-quality films combining the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of the polymer with the luminescence properties of the semiconductor nanocrystals have been established. It has been shown that insertion of the CdTe nanoparticles into the polypyrrole matrix leads to a significant increase in their electroluminescence quantum efficiency.