Non‐Conjugated Flexible Linkers in Semiconducting Polymers: A Pathway to Improved Processability without Compromising Device Performance

Schroeder, Bob C.; Chiu, Yu‐Cheng; Gu, Xiaodan; Zhou, Yan; Xu, Jie; Lopez, Jeffrey; Lu, Chien; Toney, Michael F.; Bao, Zhenan

doi:10.1002/aelm.201600104

Non‐Conjugated Flexible Linkers in Semiconducting Polymers: A Pathway to Improved Processability without Compromising Device Performance

Journal Article · Thu May 19 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Advanced Electronic Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.201600104· OSTI ID:1401673

Schroeder, Bob C. ^[1]; Chiu, Yu‐Cheng ^[1]; Gu, Xiaodan ^[2]; Zhou, Yan ^[1]; Xu, Jie ^[1]; Lopez, Jeffrey ^[1]; Lu, Chien ^[1]; Toney, Michael F. ^[3]; Bao, Zhenan ^[1]

Department of Chemical Engineering Stanford University 443 Via Ortega Stanford CA 94305 USA
Department of Chemical Engineering Stanford University 443 Via Ortega Stanford CA 94305 USA, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Menlo Park CA 94025 USA
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Menlo Park CA 94025 USA

Semiconducting polymers, in contrast to inorganic silicon, are solution processable and can potentially be printed cost efficiently on flexible large‐area substrates. However to do so it is of paramount importance to formulate the polymeric semiconductors into inks with specific viscosities. Herein, the synthesis of a new highly soluble isoindigo monomer and its incorporation into low bandgap semiconducting polymers is presented. Non‐conjugated flexible linkers are introduced into the conjugated backbone in order to modulate the materials processability. The viscoelastic properties of the new polymers are studied in detail by means of rheometry and dynamical mechanical analysis. The solution viscosity is directly proportional to the content of non‐conjugated linkers in the polymer backbone. In organic field‐effect transistors maximum hole mobilities of 1.7 cm ² V ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ are achieved with the new polymers. Due to the enhanced solubility all‐polymer solar cells are fabricated by solution shearing, reaching power conversion efficiency values of 3.7%.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-76SF00515

OSTI ID:: 1401673

Journal Information:: Advanced Electronic Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Electronic Materials Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 2; ISSN 2199-160X

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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