Statistical Conjugated Polymers Comprising Optoelectronically Distinct Units

Chemically Transferable Electronic Coarse Graining for Polythiophenes

Recent advances in machine-learning-based electronic coarse graining (ECG) methods have demonstrated the potential to enable electronic predictions in soft materials at mesoscopic length scales. However, previous ECG models have yet to confront the issue of chemical transferability. In this study, we develop chemically transferable ECG models for polythiophenes using graph neural networks. Our models are trained on a data set that samples over the conformational space of random polythiophene sequences generated with 15 different monomer chemistries and three different degrees of polymerization. We systematically explore the impact of coarse-grained representation on ECG accuracy, highlighting the significance of preserving the C-β coordinates in thiophene. We also find that integrating unique polymer sequences into training enhances the model performance more efficiently than augmenting conformational sampling for sequences already in the training data set. Moreover, our ECG models, developed initially for one property and one level of quantum chemical theory, can be efficiently transferred to related properties and higher levels of theory with minimal additional data. The chemically transferable ECG model introduced in this work will serve as a foundation model for new classes of chemically transferable ECG predictions across chemical space.

Group 16 conjugated polymers based on furan, thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene

Five-membered aromatic rings containing Group 16 elements (O, S, Se, and Te), also referred as chalcogenophenes, are ubiquitous building blocks for π-conjugated polymers (CPs). Among these, polythiophenes have been established as a model system to study the interplay between molecular structure, solid-state organization, and electronic performance. The judicious substitution of alternative heteroatoms into polythiophenes is a promising strategy for tuning their properties and improving the performance of derived organic electronic devices, thus leading to the recent abundance of CPs containing furan, selenophene, and tellurophene. In this review, we first discuss the current status of Kumada, Negishi, Murahashi, Suzuki-Miyaura, and direct arylation polymerizations, representing the best routes to access well-defined chalcogenophene-containing homopolymers and copolymers. The self-assembly, optical, solid-state, and electronic properties of these polymers and their influence on device performance are then summarized. In addition, we highlight post-polymerization modifications as effective methods to transform polychalcogenophene backbones or side chains in ways that are unobtainable by direct polymerization. Finally, the major challenges and future outlook in this field are presented.

Programmable Assembly of π-Conjugated Polymers

π-Conjugated polymers have numerous applications due to their advantageous optoelectronic and mechanical properties. These properties depend intrinsically on polymer ordering, including crystallinity, orientation, morphology, domain size, and π-π interactions. Programming, or deliberately controlling the composition and ordering of π-conjugated polymers by well-defined inputs, is a key facet in the development of organic electronics. Here, π-conjugated programming is described at each stage of material development, stressing the links between each programming mode. Covalent programming is performed during polymer synthesis such that complex architectures can be constructed, which direct polymer assembly by governing polymer orientation, π-π interactions, and morphological length-scales. Solution programming is performed in a solvated state as polymers dissolve, aggregate, crystallize, or react in solution. Solid-state programming occurs in the solid state and is governed by polymer crystallization, domain segregation, or gelation. Recent progress in programming across these stages is examined, highlighting order-dependent features and assembly techniques that are unique to π-conjugated polymers. This should serve as a guide for delineating the many ways of directing π-conjugated polymer assembly to control ordering, structure, and function, enabling the further development of organic electronics.

Applying Heteroatom Substitution in Organic Photovoltaics

Poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT) has been a central focus of research on organic photovoltaics (OPVs) for well over a decade. Due to their controlled synthesis P3ATs have proven to be a vital model system for developing an understanding of the effects of polymer structure on optoelectronic properties and blend morphology in bulk heterojunction OPVs. Similar to their thiophene counterparts, selenophene and tellurophene can be polymerized in a controlled manner. As single atom substitution results in significant differences in absorption, charge transport and self-assembly these model systems provide a unique opportunity to probe fundamental structure-property relationships. In this account, we provide an overview of our work on copolymers of thiophene and selenophene and examine how the optoelectronic and morphological behavior of these materials can be strategically adjusted through polymer design. We also highlight recent developments on poly(3-alkyltellurophene) and comment on its future in fundamental and applied studies.

Synthesis of conjugated copolymers by combining different coupling reactions

Different coupling reactions are combined in the same copolymerization to tune the structure of the resulting conjugated copolymer.

Increasing Polymer Solar Cell Fill Factor by Trap-Filling with F4-TCNQ at Parts Per Thousand Concentration

Intrinsic traps in organic semiconductors can be eliminated by trap-filling with F4-TCNQ. Photovoltaic tests show that devices with F4-TCNQ at parts per thousand concentration outperform control devices due to an improved fill factor. Further studies confirm the trap-filling pathway and demonstrate the general nature of this finding.

Heteroatom Role in Polymeric Dioxyselenophene/Dioxythiophene Systems for Color and Redox Control

The first example of a solution processable dioxythiophene-alt-dioxyselenophene polymer, ProDOT-EDOS, prepared via direct (hetero)arylation polymerization is reported and its optical and electrochemical properties are compared to the all thiophene analog, ProDOT-EDOT, and other relevant dioxythiophene polymers. By substituting the sulfur atom for a selenium atom on one of the monomers in the repeat unit a significant red-shift of both the neutral (41 nm, 132 meV) and polaronic (106 nm, 126 meV) absorbances results, as well as a 160 mV reduction in the onset of oxidation compared to ProDOT-EDOT. Spray-cast films of the polymer electrochemically switch from a vibrant blue charge neutral state to a color neutral and highly transmissive oxidized state.

New poly(selenophene–thiophene) bearing π-conjugating spacers for polymer field-effect transistors and photovoltaic cells

Five new poly(selenophene–thiophene) were synthesized for polymer optoelectronic applications. The hole field effect mobility and polymer photovoltaic power conversion efficiency could be as high as 0.27 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 2.3 %, respectively.

Intramolecular catalyst transfer polymerisation of conjugated monomers: from lessons learned to future challenges

Eleven years after the first reports on intramolecular catalyst transfer polycondensations, this review aims to critically recap on the fundamental “lessons” that can be learned from the historic literature as well as from the fervid activity that has emerged in the last three years.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of platinum-acetylide copolymers with thiophene, selenophene and tellurophene

A series of platinum-acetylide copolymers with thiophene, selenophene, and tellurophene have been synthesized and studied.

Photocurrent spectroscopic studies of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based statistical copolymers

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) containing copolymers have gained a lot of interest in organic optoelectronics with great potential in organic photovoltaics. In this work, DPP based statistical copolymers, with slightly different bandgap energies and a varying fraction of donor-acceptor ratio are investigated using monochromatic photocurrent spectroscopy and Fourier-transform photocurrent spectroscopy (FTPS). The statistical copolymer with a lower DPP fraction, when blended with a fullerene derivative, shows the signature of an inter charge transfer complex state in photocurrent spectroscopy. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum of the blended sample with a lower DPP fraction is seen to change as a function of an external bias, qualitatively similar to the quantum confined Stark effect, from where we estimate the exciton binding energy. The statistical copolymer with a higher DPP fraction shows no signal of the inter charge transfer states and yields a higher external quantum efficiency in a photovoltaic structure. In order to gain insight into the origin of the observed charge transfer transitions, we present theoretical studies using density-functional theory and time-dependent density-functional theory for the two pristine DPP based statistical monomers.

Evolution of the electron mobility in polymer solar cells with different fullerene acceptors

We investigate the evolution of the electron mobility of two different acceptors, [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) and indene-C60 bisadduct (ICBA), in a poly(3-hexylthiophene) blend solar cell during a prolonged thermal aging process. High electron mobility does not correlate with the best device performance in our study of the P3HT:PC71BM and P3HT:ICBA systems. Very little changes are observed in the polymer crystallinity as a function of time. The evolution of the acceptor appears to be the dominant factor that leads to long-term changes in the device performance. The electron mobility evolves differently in PC71BM and ICBA systems, which highlights the importance of the fullerene molecular structure.