Unraveling the Co‐Crystallization–Charge Transport Relation in Conjugated Polymer Blends via Meniscus‐Assisted Solution‐Shearing. Issue 2 (26th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Qingqing; Zhu, Shuyin; Peng, Juan
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular rapid communications. Volume 44:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-26
• Subjects: charge transport -- co‐crystallization -- conjugated polymer blends -- meniscus‐assisted solution‐shearing -- organic field‐effect transistors; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1336

Abstract

Abstract: The ability to craft the co‐crystallization in conjugated polymer blends represents an important endeavor for the enhancement of charge transport. However, simple and efficient approaches to co‐crystallization have yet to be realized. Herein, for the first time, a robust meniscus‐assisted solution‐shearing (MASS) strategy is reported to achieve co‐crystallization in the poly(2, 5‐bis(3‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3, 2‐ b ]thiophene) (PBTTT‐C6) and poly(2, 5‐bis(3‐decylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3, 2‐ b ]thiophene) (PBTTT‐C10) blended films, and correlate this co‐crystalline structure to the charge transport properties. The as‐cast PBTTT‐C6/PBTTT‐C10 blends exhibit co‐crystalline or phase‐separated structures influenced by their molecular weights. Interestingly, confined‐shearing of the initial phase‐separated blended solution to MASS produces the formation of their co‐crystallization. The co‐crystallization kinetics accompanied by the chain packing change and optical properties are scrutinized. Finally, the resulting organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) signify the cocrystal‐facilitated charge transport in the blends. Conceptually, this efficient MASS strategy in rendering the co‐crystallization in conjugated polymer blends can be readily extended to other conjugated polymer blends of interest for a variety of device applications. Abstract : A meniscus‐assisted solution‐shearing (MASS) strategy imparting the co‐crystallization in PBTTT‐C6/PBTTT‐C10 blends is reported for the first time, signifying the cocrystal‐facilitated charge transport property. The robustness of MASS to render co‐crystallization in conjugated polymer blends offers a unique platform to their utility for high‐performance optoelectronics devices.