Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Photosensitization Of Photoconductive And Photorefractive Composites Through The Inclusion Of Semiconductor Nanocrystals, Tyler Martin Fears

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

A novel synthesis of NiS nanocrystals included in photorefractive polymeric composites is described. The nanocrystals were characterized using visible-absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We further demonstrate the ability to enhance aspects of the composites' photorefractive performance by performing ligand exchange on the nanocrystals prior to their incorporation into the polymer composite. It was originally believed that this modification of the nanocrystals' surface characteristics would result in an enhanced charge-transfer process between the nanocrystal and the charge transporting matrix. However, when the photo conductivities were determined and used in calculating the quantum efficiencies associated with the …