Issue 24, 2023

Probing single-chain conformation and its impact on the optoelectronic properties of donor–accepter conjugated polymers

Abstract

The chain conformation of donor–acceptor conjugated polymers (D–A CPs) is critical to their optical and electronic properties. However, probing the conformation of D–A CPs (e.g., persistence length and contour length) at a single-chain level is challenging due to the formation of aggregates in dilute solution, even in a good solvent. In this work, we studied the chain conformation and corresponding optical spectra for high-performance D–A CPs in the single-chain state by multimodal variable-temperature scattering and spectroscopy techniques, as well as by molecular dynamics simulations. We found a critical role of the side-chain length and branch point in the persistence length and optical absorption due to steric effects. Hence, it is important to consider both the chain rigidity and coplanarity of the polymer backbone to achieve desirable optoelectronic properties. Our findings bridge the fundamental knowledge gaps to design new CPs with desired optoelectronic properties via molecular engineering for next-generation electronic devices.

Graphical abstract: Probing single-chain conformation and its impact on the optoelectronic properties of donor–accepter conjugated polymers

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Dez 2022
Accepted
14 Feb 2023
First published
14 Feb 2023

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 12928-12940

Author version available

Probing single-chain conformation and its impact on the optoelectronic properties of donor–accepter conjugated polymers

Z. Cao, Z. Li, S. A. Tolba, G. T. Mason, M. Xiong, M. U. Ocheje, A. Alesadi, C. Do, K. Hong, T. Lei, S. Rondeau-Gagné, W. Xia and X. Gu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 12928 DOI: 10.1039/D2TA09389H

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