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Title: Solution-Phase Conformation and Dynamics of Conjugated Isoindigo-Based Donor–Acceptor Polymer Single Chains

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

Conjugated polymers are the key material in thin-film organic optoelectronic devices due to the versatility of these molecules combined with their semiconducting properties. A molecular-scale understanding of conjugated polymers is important to the optimization of the thin-film morphology. We examine the solution-phase behavior of conjugated isoindigo-based donor–acceptor polymer single chains of various chain lengths using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations elucidate the transition from a rod-like to a coil-like conformation from an analysis of normal modes and persistence length. In addition, we find another transition based on the solvent environment, contrasting the coil-like conformation in a good solvent with a globule-like conformation in a poor solvent. Altogether, our results provide valuable insights into the transition between conformational regimes for conjugated polymers as a function of both the chain length and the solvent environment, which will help to accurately parametrize higher level models.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515; 1434799
OSTI ID:
1457422
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 8, Issue 22; ISSN 1948-7185
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 16 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Rod-like transition first or chain aggregation first? ordered aggregation of rod-like poly( p -phenyleneethynylene) chains in solution journal January 2019