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We have investigated the optical absorption of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes/CH3NH3PbI3 micro- and nanowire composites. Upon visible light illumination semiconducting carbon nanotube based samples show a photo-induced doping, originating from the charge carriers created in the perovskite while this kind of change is absent in the composites containing metallic nanotubes, due to their strikingly different electronic structure. The response in the nanotubes shows, beside a fast diffusion of photo-generated charges, a slow component similar to that observed in pristine CH3NH3PbI3 attributed to structural rearrangement, and leading to slight, light induced changes of the optical gap of the perovskite. This charge transfer from the illuminated perovskite confirms that carbon nanotubes (especially semiconducting ones) can form efficient charge-transporting layers in the novel organometallic perovskite based optoelectronic devices.

Transparent conducting films are rapidly emerging as one of the most promising applications of carbon nanotubes. In these less-than-perfect materials, understanding the types of defects and their effect on the transport and optical properties plays a significant role. In this contribution, we present examples of these effects, both beneficial and adverse. Refereed/Peer-reviewed