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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
09:12
Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering
Published on: June 1, 2016
Carborane-based polymers: a novel class of semiconductors with tunable properties
B Dong1, A Oyelade, J A Kelber
1Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305070, Denton, TX 76203, USA. kelber@unt.edu.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|April 22, 2017
Summary
New nanocomposite carborane materials enhance neutron detection. By incorporating aromatic species, these boron carbides exhibit improved charge carrier mobility and reduced band gaps, leading to superior performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- Semiconducting boron carbides, based on carborane icosahedra, have potential in neutron detection but suffer from poor charge carrier mobility and high defect levels.
- Conventional carborane materials present significant drawbacks for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel carborane-based nanocomposite materials with enhanced properties for applications like neutron detection.
- To address the limitations of traditional boron carbides by incorporating aromatic species.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized nanocomposite films by polymerizing mixtures of carboranes and aromatic species (benzene, 1,4-diaminobenzene, pyridine, aniline).
- Investigated the electronic and transport properties of the resulting aromatic/carborane films.
- Evaluated charge collection efficiency in neutron voltaics.
Main Results:
- Aromatic/carborane films exhibit reduced band gap energies compared to carborane-only films.
- Charge scattering lifetimes are significantly enhanced in the presence of aromatic moieties.
- Demonstrated markedly improved charge collection in neutron voltaics, outperforming conventional carborane-derived boron carbides.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanocomposite carborane materials offer superior electron-hole separation, narrower band gaps, and enhanced charge scattering lifetimes.
- These enhanced properties make the new materials highly promising for advanced neutron detection and other emerging applications.
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