Template-mediated nano-crystallite networks in semiconducting polymers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Organic Electronics

Background:

• Charge transport in π-conjugated polymers (π-CPs) is limited by amorphous regions.
• Efficient charge transport requires interconnected pathways along polymer crystallites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for forming nano-crystallite networks in π-CP films.
• To improve charge transport properties in π-CPs for printable electronics.

Main Methods:

• Employed template-mediated crystallization (TMC) utilizing polaron formation and electrostatic interaction.
• Investigated the impact of TMC on π-CP film morphology and charge transport.

Main Results:

• Achieved nano-crystallite network formation in π-CP films.
• Increased lateral and vertical charge transport by two orders of magnitude compared to pristine π-CPs.
• Obtained a field-effect mobility of 0.25 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ on a plastic substrate using room-temperature, solution-processable TMC.

Conclusions:

• TMC effectively enhances charge transport in π-CPs by forming interconnected nano-crystallite networks.
• The developed TMC method offers advantages for high-performance, solution-processable printable electronics.
• This universal approach is applicable to various π-conjugated semiconductors.