Dual function hybrid polymer-nanoparticle devices

Dual properties of photoconduction and electroluminescence (EL) in hybrid devices consisting of a nanocluster semiconductor layer and a polymer are reported. It is observed that the photocurrent spectral response and efficiency in these multilayer devices are similar to that of the semiconductor component, while the EL spectral responses are closer to that of the polymer layer. The results are confirmed using the nanoparticle semiconductor, cadmium sulphide CdS, of different particle sizes and polymers representing a wide spectral range. A general feature of efficient photocurrent spectral response corresponding to nanoparticle and an appreciable EL response corresponding more to the active polymer are observed in all devices and results in wide, separated spectral windows. Current-voltage responses also indicate possibilities of added tunability in these devices. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)04006-1].