Synthesis, characterization, and their field-effect properties of azaisoindigo-based conjugated polymers with versatile alkoxycarbonyl substituents. (12th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Yankai; Zhang, Shiying; Zhang, Weifeng; Huang, Jianyao; Wei, Congyuan; Wang, Liping; Yu, Gui
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 215(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-12
• Subjects: Azaisoindigo-based conjugated polymers -- Field-effect transistors -- Alkoxycarbonyl substitution; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, versatile alkoxycarbonyl substituents were incorporated onto the azaisoindigo (AIID)-based polymeric π-skeleton, affording two novel polymers PAZPT and PAZPTEt . The PAZPT has the alkoxycarbonyl groups substituted on its thiophene unit, whereas the PAZPTEt has both the thiophene and thieno[3, 2-b]thiophene units substituted with alkoxycarbonyl groups. As result, PAZPT has more planar conjugated backbone conformation than that of PAZPTEt . Experimental characterization results indicated that alkoxycarbonyl substituents can effectively pull down the frontier molecular orbital energy levels and optimize the solubility and molecular packing mode of conjugated polymers. All the field-effect transistors based on the two polymers showed ambipolar carrier transport characteristics. Such results show that introducing alkoxycarbonyl substituents on polymeric π-skeleton might be a potential approach in fine-tuning the semiconducting properties of conjugated polymers. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Two novel alkoxycarbonyl-substituted copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Both FMO energy levels and side chain orientation were adjusted by the introduction of alkoxycarbonyl group. Electron- and hole-dominant ambipolar OFETs were fabricated based on PAZPT and PAZPTEt, respectively. Varying degrees of alkoxycarbonyl substitution led to different film morphology and sidechain orientation.