Recent developments in polymer semiconductors with excellent electron transport performances

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Polymer semiconductors have advanced significantly, with most high-performance materials exhibiting p-type characteristics.
• The development of ambipolar and n-type polymers lags behind p-type analogues, hindering the creation of essential electronic components like p-n heterojunctions and logic circuits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review polymer semiconductors with excellent electron transport performance, addressing the imbalance with p-type materials.
• To explore molecular design considerations and bonding strategies for enhancing electron mobility in polymers.
• To provide insights into structural modification strategies for improved electron transport.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on reviewing existing literature concerning molecular design, monomer bonding, and structural modification strategies for polymer semiconductors.
• Analyzes electron transport, thermoelectric, mixed ionic-electronic conduction, intrinsically stretchable, photodetection, and spin transport properties of high-electron mobility polymers.
• Discusses performance from a molecular engineering perspective.

Main Results:

• Identifies key design considerations and bonding modes that contribute to high electron mobility in polymer semiconductors.
• Details various structural modification strategies employed to enhance electron transport capabilities.
• Summarizes diverse applications and performance metrics of these advanced polymer materials.

Conclusions:

• Emphasizes the critical need for continued research into n-type and ambipolar polymer semiconductors to enable advanced electronic applications.
• Highlights the potential of molecular engineering in designing next-generation polymer semiconductors with superior electron transport properties.
• Outlines future challenges and prospects, offering guidance for developing novel materials and expanding their technological applications.