Regulation of High Miscibility for Efficient Charge-Transport in n-Doped Conjugated Polymers

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2022 Mar 28;61(14):e202200221. doi: 10.1002/anie.202200221. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

Abstract

Strong interchain interactions of conjugated polymers usually result in poor miscibility with molecular dopants, limiting the doping efficiency because of uncontrolled phase separation. We have developed a strategy to achieve efficient charge-transport and high doping miscibility in n-doped conjugated polymers. We solve the miscibility issue through disorder side-chains containing dopants better. Systemic structural characterization reveals a farther side-chain branching point will lead to higher disorders, which provides appropriate sites to accommodate extrinsic molecular dopants without harming original chain packings and charge-transport channels. Therefore, better sustainability of solid-state microstructure is obtained, yielding a stable conductivity even when overloading massive dopants. This work highlights the importance of realizing high host-dopant miscibility in molecular doping of conjugated polymers.

Keywords: Charge Transport; Conducting Polymers; Electrical Conductivity; Host-Dopant Miscibility; n-Doping.