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Conductive Thin Films over Large Areas by Supramolecular Self-Assembly
Pei-Yang Gu1,2, Yufeng Jiang2,3, Zachary Fink4
1College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation, Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a one-step method to create conductive thin films using self-assembling polymers and porphyrins. This technique yields aligned cylindrical microdomains, showing potential for organic semiconductor devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Supramolecular assembly is key for creating ordered nanostructures.
- Conductive thin films are essential for organic electronic devices.
- Controlling nanodomain orientation is crucial for device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for preparing conductive thin films with vertically aligned cylindrical microdomains.
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of poly(styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine) and a porphyrin derivative.
- To evaluate the potential of these films for organic semiconductor applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a one-step supramolecular assembly of poly(styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (HOTPP).
- Employed dynamic light scattering, contact angle measurements, and in situ grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) to study morphology.
- Analyzed current-voltage characteristics to assess conductivity.
Main Results:
- Achieved large-area conductive thin films with cylindrical microdomains (∼17 nm diameter) oriented normal to the surface.
- Observed a morphological transition from spherical micelles to vertically aligned cylinders during the drying process.
- Demonstrated an average current of ∼4.0 nA through a single microdomain.
Conclusions:
- The one-step method enables controlled formation of vertically aligned conductive nanostructures.
- The PS-b-P4VP/HOTPP system shows promise for fabricating efficient organic semiconductor devices.
- Hydrogen bonding between HOTPP and P4VP drives the formation of the desired nanostructure.
