Conjugated polymeric nanostructures of air-brushed mechano-optoelectronic poly (3-hexylthiophene)-based thin films

In this study, we aim to understand the process-structure-property relationship of air-brushed poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-based mechano-optoelectronic (MO) thin films to characterize the nanostructures of P3HT and assess fracture toughness of the MO thin films. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are doped into the P3HT-based ink for air-brushing process to deposit MO thin films on a flexible elastomeric substrate. For analysis of P3HT nanostructures in the air-brushed MO thin films at various strain levels, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy with polarized beams is employed. In addition, optical microscopic observations are performed to qualitatively assess fracture toughness of the MO thin films at various strain levels.