Efficient Photodetection at IR Wavelengths by Incorporation of PbSe–Carbon‐Nanotube Conjugates in a Polymeric Nanocomposite

PbSe quantum dots (QDs) are conjugated onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes by a novel ligation procedure. The nanotubes are first surface-functionalized with thiol groups, which enable the adhesion of large numbers of colloidally prepared PbSe QDs. Polymeric nanocomposite IR photosensitizers made from these conjugate structures (see figure) generate significantly enhanced (≥ 100 %) IR photocurrents compared to devices using only QDs.