Ultrahigh Density Array of Free-Standing Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanotubes on Conducting Substrates via Solution Wetting

An ultrahigh density array of vertically and laterally aligned poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanotubes on conducting substrates was successfully fabricated by solution wetting in the anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template. After solvent annealing, the conductivity of P3HT nanotubes was significantly increased due to highly aligned P3HT chains along the nanotube direction (or perpendicular to the substrate). This approach also provides a facile route for the preparation of ultrahigh density array of various conjugated polymer nanotubes. The conducting polymer nanotube array could be used for high performance organic devices, such as sensors, organic photovoltaic cells, and electrochromic devices.