Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:16
Monitoring the Effects of Illumination on the Structure of Conjugated Polymer Gels Using Neutron Scattering
Published on: December 21, 2017
Chain conformations dictate multiscale charge transport phenomena in disordered semiconducting polymers
Rodrigo Noriega1, Alberto Salleo, Andrew J Spakowitz
1Departments of Applied Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
Summary
This study introduces a new model for charge transport in conjugated polymers, accounting for polymer chain arrangement. The framework explains multiscale mobility and its dependence on electric fields and temperature.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Current models for conjugated polymer electronic properties lack detail on macromolecular chain arrangement.
- Understanding charge transport in disordered polymers is crucial for device applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multiscale model for charge transport in conjugated polymers that incorporates polymer chain morphology.
- To explain the observed mobility behaviors, including scale-dependent and field/temperature-dependent mobility.
Main Methods:
- Utilized statistical models to describe polymer chain morphology.
- Employed Marcus theory to determine electronic coupling between polymer units.
- Developed an analytical and computational framework for multiscale charge transport.
Main Results:
- The model naturally describes multiscale charge transport (high mobility at short scales, low at long scales).
- Successfully explained the dependence of mobility on electric field and temperature.
- Linked conformational variability and spatial correlation to observed transport phenomena.
Conclusions:
- The developed model provides a predictive tool connecting polymer processing conditions to charge transport behavior.
- Offers a more comprehensive understanding of electronic properties in disordered conjugated polymers.
- Potential for guiding the design of advanced polymer-based electronic materials.
More Related Videos
06:55Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
Published on: September 26, 2016
09:22Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:21Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
01:24Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers I
Polymerization produces macromolecules with a range of chain lengths due to the random nature of molecular growth processes. As chains form and terminate at different stages, a single polymer sample contains molecules of varying sizes rather than a uniform structure. This variability is described using average molar masses and distribution-related parameters, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of polymer characteristics.The distribution of molar masses plays a critical role in...
01:26Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
01:14Polymer Classification: Architecture
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
02:35Band Theory
When two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals combine and molecular orbitals of distinct energies result. In a solid, there are a large number of atoms, and therefore a large number of atomic orbitals that may be combined into molecular orbitals. These groups of molecular orbitals are so closely placed together to form continuous regions of energies, known as the bands.
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
01:22Semiconductors
There is variation in the electrical conductivity of materials - metals, semiconductors, and insulators that are showcased with the help of the energy band diagrams.
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...