An efficient hole-transporting layer (HTL) based on functionalized two-dimensional (2D) MoS₂-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composites has been developed for use in organic solar cells (OSCs). Few-layer, oleylamine-functionalized MoS₂ (FMoS₂) nanosheets were prepared via a simple and cost-effective solution-phase exfoliation method; then, they were blended into PEDOT:PSS, a conducting conjugated polymer, and the resulting hybrid film (PEDOT:PSS/FMoS₂) was tested as an HTL for poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) OSCs. The devices using this hybrid film HTL showed power conversion efficiencies up to 3.74%, which is 15.08% higher than that of the reference ones having PEDOT:PSS as HTL. Atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements confirmed the compatibility of the PEDOT:PSS/FMoS₂ surface for active layer deposition on it. The electrical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed that their use minimized the charge-transfer resistance of the OSCs, consequently improving their performance compared with the reference cells. Thus, the proposed fabrication of such HTLs incorporating 2D nanomaterials could be further expanded as a universal protocol for various high-performance optoelectronic devices.

An effective route for the preparation of a processable, conducting polymer-functionalized graphene oxide for actuator applications is investigated. First, graphene oxide (GO) is covalently functionalized with a 3-thiophene acetic acid (TAA) monomer by an esterification reaction. Then, the TAA-functionalized GO is self-polymerized by chemical oxidative polymerization to yield poly(3-thiophene acetic acid)-functionalized GO (GO-f-PTAA). Further, the GO-f-TAA is also copolymerized with thiophene (Th) to yield GO-f-PTAA-co-PTh. The synthesis of GO-f-PTAA and GO-f-PTAA-co-PTh composites is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The composites show better electrochemical properties than pure PTAA and superior solubility in organic solvents compared to pure GO. Using the soluble GO-f-PTAA and GO-f-PTAA-co-PTh composites, air-operable actuators are fabricated and their actuation performance is investigated. The copolymer-functionalized GO actuator exhibits good electroactive actuation behavior between 2 and 4 V, mainly because of the enhanced electrochemical performance of the composites, whereas the pure PTAA and GO-f-PTAA actuators do not show actuation under the applied voltage. The soluble conducting polymer-functionalized graphene composites developed in this study have potential applications in the fabrication of actuators that can be operated in air.

A new and facile route has been developed to prepare graphene oxide (GO) reinforced hyperbranched polyurethane (HPU) composites by in situ polymerization technique. To increase the reactivity of GO during in situ polymerization, the aliphatic hydroxyl groups are decorated on the surface of graphene sheets. The enhanced grafting was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectra and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The high grafting yield of 84% was obtained from thermogravimetric analysis after removing the non-attached HPU from the composites. The covalently bonded graphene sheets with hyperbranched polyurethane were homogeneously dispersed due to grafted HPU-assisted dispersion in the pure polymer matrix. In comparison with pure hyperbranched polyurethane, the highly flexible graphene-based shape memory polyurethane composite exhibited higher modulus and breaking stress, and exceptional elongation-at-break. The resulting composite exhibited 98% shape recovery, 93% shape retention, and enhanced thermal stability; thus, it would be a promising material for the fabrication of graphene-based actuating devices. Consequently, this simple protocol has great potential in the preparation of various high-performance polymer composites.