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Zhao Q, Li D, Peng J. Meticulous Molecular Engineering of Crystal Orientation and Morphology in Conjugated Polymer Thin Films for Field-Effect Transistors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:9098-9107. [PMID: 38319877 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The ability to precisely tailor molecular packing and film morphology in conjugated polymers offers a robust means to control their optoelectronic properties. This, however, remains a grand challenge. Herein, we report the dependency of molecular packing of an important conjugated polymer, poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT), on a set of intrinsic parameters and unveil the correlation between their crystalline structures and charge transport characteristics. Specifically, a family of PBTTT with varying side chains (i.e., hexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, and hexadecyl referred to as C6, C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16, respectively) and molecular weights (MWs) with a focus on C14 are judiciously designed and synthesized. Various crystalline structures are yielded by tuning the alkyl chain and MW of PBTTT together with thermal annealing. It reveals that extending the alkyl chain length of PBTTT to C14, along with a larger MW and heating at 180 °C, promotes the formation of edge-on crystallites with significantly improved orientation and ordering. Furthermore, these distinct crystalline structures greatly impact their charge mobilities. This study sheds light on the tailored design of crystalline structures in PBTTT through a synergetic approach, which paves the way for potential applications of PBTTT and other conjugated polymers in optoelectronic devices with enhanced performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Dingke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Juan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Ruffino R, Jankowski M, Konovalov O, Punzo F, Tuccitto N, Li-Destri G. Modulating Polymer Ultrathin Film Crystalline Fraction and Orientation with Nanoscale Curvature. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4453. [PMID: 38006177 PMCID: PMC10674544 DOI: 10.3390/polym15224453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effect of nanoscale curvature on the structure of thermally equilibrated poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) ultrathin films. The curvature-induced effects were investigated with synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results demonstrate that nanoscale curvature reduces the polymer crystalline fraction and the crystal length. The first effect is strongest for the lowest curvature and results in a decrease in the out-of-plane thickness of the polymer crystals. On the other hand, the crystal in-plane length decreases with the increase in substrate curvature. Finally, the semi-quantitative analysis of crystal anisotropy shows a marked dependence on the substrate curvature characterized by a minimum at curvatures between 0.00851 nm-1 and 0.0140 nm-1. The results are discussed in terms of a curvature-dependent polymer fraction, which fills the interstices between neighboring particles and cannot crystallize due to extreme space confinement. This fraction, whose thickness is highest at the lowest curvatures, inhibits the crystal nucleation and the out-of-plane crystal growth. Moreover, because of the adhesion to the curved portion of the substrates, crystals adopt a random orientation. By increasing the substrate curvature, the amorphous fraction is reduced, leading to polymer films with higher crystallinity. Finally, when the thickness of the film exceeds the particle diameter, the curvature no longer affects the crystal orientation, which, similarly to the flat case, is predominantly edge on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ruffino
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.R.); (N.T.)
| | - Maciej Jankowski
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS40220, CEDEX 9, 38043 Grenoble, France; (M.J.); (O.K.)
| | - Oleg Konovalov
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS40220, CEDEX 9, 38043 Grenoble, France; (M.J.); (O.K.)
| | - Francesco Punzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Nunzio Tuccitto
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.R.); (N.T.)
| | - Giovanni Li-Destri
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; (R.R.); (N.T.)
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Perry S, Arumugam S, Beeby S, Nandhakumar I. Template-free nanostructured poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) films via single pulse-nucleated electrodeposition. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2023.117278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Kukhta NA, Luscombe CK. Gaining control over conjugated polymer morphology to improve the performance of organic electronics. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:6982-6997. [PMID: 35604084 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc01430k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Conjugated polymers (CPs) are widely used in various domains of organic electronics. However, the performance of organic electronic devices can be variable due to the lack of precise predictive control over the polymer microstructure. While the chemical structure of CPs is important, CP microstructure also plays an important role in determining the charge-transport, optical and mechanical properties suitable for a target device. Understanding the interplay between CP microstructure and the resulting properties, as well as predicting and targeting specific polymer morphologies, would allow current comprehension of organic electronic device performance to be improved and potentially enable more facile device optimization and fabrication. In this Feature Article, we highlight the importance of investigating CP microstructure, discuss previous developments in the field, and provide an overview of the key aspects of the CP microstructure-property relationship, carried out in our group over recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadzeya A Kukhta
- Materials Science and Engineering Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-2120, USA
| | - Christine K Luscombe
- pi-Conjugated Polymers Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan.
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Zhou L, Ran G, Liu Y, Bo Z, Sun S, Zhang W. Thermal Annealing Effect on Non-Fused Ring Acceptor Based Bulk Heterojunction Investigated by Transient Absorption Spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2022.100129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Li H, Liu X, Jin T, Zhao K, Zhang Q, He C, Yang H, Chen Y, Huang J, Yu X, Han Y. Optimizing the Intercrystallite Connection of Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Semiconductor Polymer by Controlling the Crystallization Rate via Temperature. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200084. [PMID: 35339116 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The charge carrier transport of conjugated polymer thin film is mainly decided by the crystalline domain and intercrystallite connection. High density tie-chain can provide an effective bridge between crystalline domains. Herein, the tie-chain connection behavior is optimized by decreasing the crystal region length (lc ) and increasing the crystallization rate. Poly[4-(4,4-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b']dithiophen-2-yl)-alt-[1,2,5]-thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridine] (PCDTPT-ODD) is dissolved in nonpolar solvent isooctane and high ordered rod-like aggregations are formed. As the temperature increases, the changes of solution state and crystallization behavior lead to three different chain arrangement morphologies in the films: (1) at 25°C, large and separated crystal regions are formed; (2) at 55°C, small and well-connected crystal regions are formed due to faster crystallization rate and smaller nucleus size; (3) at 90°C, the amorphous film is formed. Further results show that the film prepared at 55°C has a smaller crystal region length (lc , 7.6 nm) and higher tie-chains content. Thus, the film exhibits the best device mobility of 2.3 × 10-3 cm2 V-1 s-1 . This result shows the great influence of crystallization kinetics on the microstructure of conjugated polymer films and provides an effective way for the optimization of the intercrystallite tie-chain. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Tianya Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Kefeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Chunyong He
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianyao Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xinhong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Yanchun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
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Abstract
Solution–processed organic solar cells (OSC) have been explored widely due to their low cost and convenience, and impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) which have surpassed 18%. In particular, the optimization of film morphology, including the phase separation structure and crystallinity degree of donor and acceptor domains, is crucially important to the improvement in PCE. Considering that the film morphology optimization of many blends can be achieved by regulating the film–forming process, it is necessary to take note of the employment of solvents and additives used during film processing, as well as the film–forming conditions. Herein, we summarize the recent investigations about thin films and expect to give some guidance for its prospective progress. The different film morphologies are discussed in detail to reveal the relationship between the morphology and device performance. Then, the principle of morphology regulating is concluded with. Finally, a future controlling of the film morphology and development is briefly outlined, which may provide some guidance for further optimizing the device performance.
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Lee Y, Mongare A, Plant A, Ryu D. Strain-Microstructure-Optoelectronic Inter-Relationship toward Engineering Mechano-Optoelectronic Conjugated Polymer Thin Films. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:935. [PMID: 33803632 PMCID: PMC8002877 DOI: 10.3390/polym13060935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechano-optoelectronic (MO) behavior indicates changes in optoelectronic properties in response to the applied mechanical deformation. The MO behavior can be employed to monitor the mechanical deformation of a targeted system by tracing its optoelectronic properties. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) blend thin films exhibited changes in direct current under tensile strain. Although optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of P3HT/PCBM blends have been studied extensively and intensively, research required for MO properties has a fundamental difference from previous research mostly for solar cells. In research for MO systems, a greater extent of changes in optoelectronic properties under mechanical deformation is favorable. Herein, previous research for optoelectronic properties and mechanical properties of conjugated polymers will be reviewed from a perspective on MO properties. The microstructure of a conjugated polymer thin film plays a pivotal role in its optoelectronic properties and mechanical properties. Key parameters involved in the microstructure of conjugated polymer thin films will be addressed. A scalable process is required to broaden applications of MO systems. Potential challenges in the fabrication of MO conjugated polymer thin films will be discussed. Finally, this review is envisioned to provide insight into the design and manufacturing of MO conjugated polymer thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA;
| | - Alfred Mongare
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA;
| | - Aaron Plant
- Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA;
| | - Donghyeon Ryu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA;
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