Light-Controlled Conductance Switching in Azobenzene-Containing MWCNT-Polymer Nanocomposites.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optoelectronics

Background:

• Developing novel materials for light-controlled electronic applications is crucial.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and azobenzene molecules offer unique photoresponsive properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and characterize a reversible light-controlled conductance switching material.
• To investigate the photoisomerization of azobenzene within a polymer nanocomposite for electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of thin films using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix.
• Independent embedding of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and azobenzene molecules.
• Spin-coating technique for film preparation.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated reversible light-controlled conductance switching in MWCNT-polymer nanocomposites.
• Observed a photocurrent switching amplitude of approximately 10% due to azobenzene photoisomerization.
• Confirmed the feasibility of the proposed material concept.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanocomposite material shows promise for light-controlled electronic applications.
• Photoisomerization of azobenzene molecules effectively modulates the conductance of the MWCNT-polymer system.
• Simple fabrication methods enable the creation of functional optoelectronic materials.