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Reactive Vapor Deposition of Conjugated Polymer Films on Arbitrary Substrates
Published on: January 17, 2018
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Controlling the pore size in conjugated polymer films via crystallization-driven phase separation
Shaowen Guo1, Yaguang Lu, Binghua Wang
1School of Materials Science & Engineering, Henan Province Industrial Technology Research Institute of Resources and Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, People's Republic of China. chenjb@zzu.edu.cn binzhang@zzu.edu.cn.
Soft Matter
|March 27, 2019
Summary
Researchers created porous poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films for sensors and optoelectronics. Film porosity and pore size were controlled by adjusting polymer blend concentrations and processing temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Porous polymer membranes are crucial for sensors and optoelectronic devices.
- Semi-conducting polymers offer unique electronic and optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for constructing porous poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films.
- To investigate the influence of processing parameters on pore characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Spin-coating of P3HT and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blends.
- Phase separation driven by incompatibility and crystallization.
- Systematic variation of polymer concentration, molecular weight, and spin-coating temperature.
Main Results:
- Pore formation achieved through simultaneous incompatibility and crystallization.
- Pore diameter increased with polymer concentration (0.5–5.0 wt%) and PEG molecular weight.
- Micron- and nano-scale pores were observed, with distinct formation mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Controlled fabrication of porous P3HT films is feasible using P3HT:PEG blends.
- Processing parameters significantly influence pore size and structure.
- The developed method offers tunable porous membranes for advanced applications.
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