Issue 44, 2021

Improving molecular alignment and charge percolation in semiconducting polymer films with highly localized electronic states through tailored thermal annealing

Abstract

We have recently developed a strategy to improve charge percolation efficiency in a renowned family of naphthalene-diimide bithiophene (PNDI-T2) copolymers, based on the application of a tailored thermal treatment on pre-aligned films. Here we show that the accurate choice of thermal post-processing temperatures can induce a notable lamellar thickening and an improvement of molecular alignment, the latter being favored by alkyl chains with longer branches. Correspondingly, enhanced transport properties are observed. Interestingly, these are found to be independent of lamellar thickness. In fact, within this family of molecules, characterized by a locked non-planar conformation and strong intramolecular charge localization, the orientational order within charge percolation paths was found to be the only factor dictating charge transport.

Graphical abstract: Improving molecular alignment and charge percolation in semiconducting polymer films with highly localized electronic states through tailored thermal annealing

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 8 2021
Accepted
25 10 2021
First published
25 10 2021

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021,9, 15848-15857

Author version available

Improving molecular alignment and charge percolation in semiconducting polymer films with highly localized electronic states through tailored thermal annealing

A. Luzio, J. Martin, C. H. Cheng, N. Stingelin, M. F. Toney, A. Salleo and M. Caironi, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2021, 9, 15848 DOI: 10.1039/D1TC03907E

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