1
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Lakdusinghe M, Mooney M, Ahmad H, Chu I, Rondeau-Gagné S, Kundu S. Gels of Semiconducting Polymers in Benign Solvents. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:12283-12291. [PMID: 37611231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Gels of semiconducting polymers have many potential applications, including biomedical devices and sensors. Here, we report a self-assembled gel system consisting of isoindigo-based semiconducting polymers with galactose side chains in benign, alcohol-based solvents. Because of the carbohydrate side chains, the modified isoindigo polymers are soluble in alcohols. We obtained thermoreversible gels in 1-propanol using these polymers and di-Fmoc-l-lysine, a molecular gelator. The polymers and molecular gelators have been selected in such a way that they do not have significant physical interactions. The molecular gelator self-assembled to form a fibrous structure that confines the polymer chains in the interstitial spaces of the fibers. The polymer chains formed local aggregations and increased the shear moduli of the gels significantly. Bulky galactose side chains and the less planar nature of the polymer backbone hindered the formation of long-range assembled structures of the polymers. However, the dispersion of polymers throughout the gel samples resulted in a percolated structure in the dried gel films. The bulk electrical conductivity of dried gels confirmed the presence of such percolated structures. Our results demonstrated that carbohydrate-containing conjugated polymers can be combined with molecular gelators to obtain gels in eco-friendly solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhubhashini Lakdusinghe
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Madison Mooney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Humayun Ahmad
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Iwei Chu
- Institute for Imaging & Analytical Technologies (I2AT) of Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Simon Rondeau-Gagné
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Santanu Kundu
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, MS State, Mississippi 39762, United States
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2
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Wu R, Paulsen BD, Ma Q, McCulloch I, Rivnay J. Quantitative Composition and Mesoscale Ion Distribution in p-Type Organic Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37326843 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the ionic composition and distribution in organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) is crucial for understanding their structure-property relationships. Despite this, direct measurements of OMIEC ionic composition and distribution are not common. In this work, we investigated the ionic composition and mesoscopic structure of three typical p-type OMIEC materials: an ethylene glycol-treated crosslinked OMIEC with a large excess fixed anionic charge (EG/GOPS-PEDOT:PSS), an acid-treated OMIEC with a tunable fixed anionic charge (crys-PEDOT:PSS), and a single-component OMIEC without any fixed anionic charge (pg2T-TT). A combination of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, gravimetry, coulometry, and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) techniques was employed to characterize these OMIECs following electrolyte exposure and electrochemical cycling. In particular, XRF provided quantitative ion-to-monomer compositions for these OMIECs from passive ion uptake following aqueous electrolyte exposure and potential-driven ion uptake/expulsion following electrochemical doping and dedoping. Single-ion (cation) transport in EG/GOPS-PEDOT:PSS due to Donnan exclusion was directly confirmed, while significant fixed anion concentrations in crys-PEDOT:PSS doping and dedoping were shown to occur through mixed anion and cation transport. Controlling the fixed anionic (PSS-) charge density in crys-PEDOT:PSS mapped the strength of Donnan exclusion in OMIEC systems following a Donnan-Gibbs model. Anion transport dominated pg2T-TT doping and dedoping, but a surprising degree of anionic charge trapping (∼1020 cm-3) was observed. GISAXS revealed minimal ion segregation both between PEDOT- and PSS-rich domains in EG/GOPS-PEDOT:PSS and between amorphous and semicrystalline domains in pg2T-TT but showed significant ion segregation in crys-PEDOT:PSS at length scales of tens of nm, ascribed to inter-nanofibril void space. These results bring new clarity to the ionic composition and distribution of OMIECs which are crucial for accurately connecting the structure and properties of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiheng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Bryan D Paulsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Qing Ma
- DND-CAT, Synchrotron Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Jonathan Rivnay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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3
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Raman spectroelectrochemical study on the effect of solvent processing on the active layer morphology of polymer solar cells. Chem Phys 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2022.111700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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4
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Dynamic Gelation of Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites Consisting of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and ZnO Nanowires. JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jcs5080199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The sol–gel transition of conductive nanocomposites consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and ZnO nanowires in o-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) has been investigated rheologically. The physical gelation of P3HT in o-DCB spontaneously occurs upon adding the small amount of ZnO nanowires. The rheological properties of the P3HT/ZnO nanocomposite gels have been systematically studied by varying factors such as polymer concentration, nanowire loading, and temperature. The nanocomposite gel exhibits shear-thinning in the low shear rate range and shear-thickening in the high shear rate range. The elastic storage modulus of the nanocomposite gel gradually increases with gelation time and is consistently independent of frequency at all investigated ranges. The isothermal gelation kinetics has been analyzed by monitoring the storage modulus with gelation time, and the data are well fitted with a first-order rate law. The structural analysis data reveal that the polymer forms the crystalline layer coated on ZnO nanowires. A fringed micelle model is proposed to explain the possible gelation mechanism.
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5
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Calabrese V, Califano D, da Silva MA, Schmitt J, Bryant SJ, Hossain KMZ, Percebom AM, Pérez Gramatges A, Scott JL, Edler KJ. Core-Shell Spheroidal Hydrogels Produced via Charge-Driven Interfacial Complexation. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2020; 2:1213-1221. [PMID: 32296779 PMCID: PMC7147256 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.9b01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Through charge-driven interfacial complexation, we produced millimeter-sized spheroidal hydrogels (SH) with a core-shell structure allowing long-term stability in aqueous media. The SH were fabricated by extruding, dropwise, a cationic cellulose nanofibril (CCNF) dispersion into an oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) bath. The SH have a solid-like CCNF-PAA shell, acting as a semipermeable membrane, and a liquid-like CCNF suspension in the core. Swelling behavior of the SH was dependent on the osmotic pressure of the aging media. Swelling could be suppressed by increasing the ionic strength of the media as this enhanced interfibrillar interactions and thus strengthened the outer gel membrane. We further validated a potential application of SH as reusable matrixes for glucose oxidase (GOx) entrapment, where the SH work as microreactors from which substrate and product are freely able to migrate through the SH shell while avoiding enzyme leakage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Calabrese
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Califano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
- Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Marcelo A da Silva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Schmitt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Saffron J Bryant
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Kazi M Zakir Hossain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M Percebom
- Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aurora Pérez Gramatges
- Department of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), 22451-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Janet L Scott
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
- Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Karen J Edler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
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6
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Yi HL, Hua CC. PBTTT-C 16 sol-gel transition by rod associations and networking. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:8022-8031. [PMID: 31565725 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01362h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A low-molecular-weight poly(2,5-bis(3-hexadecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (designated as Lw-pBTTT-C16) in a fair solvent (chlorobenzene, CB) displays peculiar structural, mechanical, and electronic features during sol-gel transition. Using comprehensive (multiscale) dynamic/static analysis schemes, the Lw-pBTTT-C16/CB solution (10 mg mL-1) is shown to capitalize on rod associations and networking to form a gel, in stark contrast with its high-molecular-weight companion previously reported to form gels through hierarchical colloidal bridging. The present study reveals, however, that the molecular weight of pBTTT-C16 has a subtle impact on the gelation behaviors through the rarely recognized, contrasting supramolecular conformations (rod-like vs. wormlike) of the aggregate clusters fostered in the pristine solution. The ac conductivity nearly doubles as a result of improved (mesoscale) packing of cylindrical aggregates near the gel state as well as enhanced backbone rigidity of the constituting chains. Other distinguishing features include: (1) there is no real crossover of the dynamic moduli (G' and G'') upon increasing the temperature from gel (T = 15 °C) to solution (T = 80 °C) states. (2) The gel is about a hundredfold softer in dynamic modulus, yet more resilient with a fivefold increase in the yield strain. Both viscoelastic features are expected to greatly benefit the gel processability. (3) The coexistent microgels and cylinder (aggregate) bundles form a peculiar gel network that has not been reported previously with polymer or colloidal gels. The overall findings provide new mechanistic insight into the phenomenological effects of molecular weight for the pBTTT-Cn series in solution, sol, gel, and thin film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Liou Yi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Chung Hua
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan.
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7
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Yao Y, Zhang L, Orgiu E, Samorì P. Unconventional Nanofabrication for Supramolecular Electronics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1900599. [PMID: 30941813 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The scientific effort toward achieving a full control over the correlation between structure and function in organic and polymer electronics has prompted the use of supramolecular interactions to drive the formation of highly ordered functional assemblies, which have been integrated into real devices. In the resulting field of supramolecular electronics, self-assembly of organic semiconducting materials constitutes a powerful tool to generate low-dimensional and crystalline functional architectures. These include 1D nanostructures (nanoribbons, nanotubes, and nanowires) and 2D molecular crystals with tuneable and unique optical, electronic, and mechanical properties. Optimizing the (opto)electronic properties of organic semiconducting materials is imperative to harness such supramolecular structures as active components for supramolecular electronics. However, their integration in real devices currently represents a significant challenge to the advancement of (opto)electronics. Here, an overview of the unconventional nanofabrication techniques and device configurations to enable supramolecular electronics to become a real technology is provided. A particular focus is put on how single and multiple supramolecular fibers and gels as well as supramolecularly engineered 2D materials can be integrated into novel vertical or horizontal junctions to realize flexible and high-density multifunctional transistors, photodetectors, and memristors, exhibiting a set of new properties and excelling in their performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Yao
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Emanuele Orgiu
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), EMT Center, 1650 Blvd. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - Paolo Samorì
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
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8
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Significance of Polymeric Nanowire-Network Structures for Stable and Efficient Organic Solar Cells. Macromol Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13233-018-6088-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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9
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Sapolsky M, McFaddin J, Boucher D. Aggregation Behavior of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) in Solvent Mixtures: Linear Solvation Energy Relationship (LSER) Modeling and COSMO-RS Calculations. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201700545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marni Sapolsky
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; School of Sciences and Mathematics; College of Charleston; Charleston SC 29401 USA
| | - John McFaddin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; School of Sciences and Mathematics; College of Charleston; Charleston SC 29401 USA
| | - David Boucher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; School of Sciences and Mathematics; College of Charleston; Charleston SC 29401 USA
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10
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Yi HL, Hua CC. PBTTT-C 16 sol-gel transition by hierarchical colloidal bridging. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:1270-1280. [PMID: 29367967 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm02493b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A versatile conjugated polymer, poly(2,5-bis(3-hexadecyllthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (pBTTT-C16, with Mw = 61 309 g mol-1), in a relatively good solvent (chlorobenzene, CB) medium is shown to produce gels through hierarchical colloidal bridging. Multiscale static/dynamic light and X-ray scattering analysis schemes along with complementary microscopy imaging techniques clearly reveal that upon cooling from the solution state at 80 °C to various gelation temperatures (5, 10, and 15 °C), rod-like colloidal pBTTT-C16 aggregates morph into spherical ones, triggering hierarchical colloid formation and bridging that eventually turn the solution into a gel after about one-day aging. A certain fraction of primal packing units-spherical gelators (∼1 nm in mean radius)-constitute the spherical building particles (∼10 nm) noted above, which in turn constitute loose-packing aggregate clusters (∼300 nm) in the sol state. As gelation proceeds, the aggregate cluster interiors tighten substantially, and micrometer-sized clusters (∼3 μm) formed by them begin to take shape and further interconnect to form the gel network (mean porosity size ∼240 nm and spatial inhomogeneity length ∼20 μm). Rheological measurements and kinetic analysis reveal that the gelation temperature can also have a notable impact on gel microstructure, gelation rate, and mechanical strength, resulting in, for instance, a prominently nonergodic and porous structure for the soft gel incubated at a higher temperature T = 15 °C. The ac conductivity exhibits a notable upturn near pBTTT-C16/CB gelation, well above those achieved by the counterpart pBTTT-C14 solutions, which, in interesting contrast, cannot be brought to the gel phase under similar experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Liou Yi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan.
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11
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Zhang L, Li S, Squillaci MA, Zhong X, Yao Y, Orgiu E, Samorì P. Supramolecular Self-Assembly in a Sub-micrometer Electrodic Cavity: Fabrication of Heat-Reversible π-Gel Memristor. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:14406-14411. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b04347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Songlin Li
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marco A. Squillaci
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Xiaolan Zhong
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Yifan Yao
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Emanuele Orgiu
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Paolo Samorì
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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12
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Kao KY, Pei RY, Chen HL, Chen JH, Chen SA. Regioregularity effect on the self-assembly behavior of poly(3-hexylthiophene): the significance of triad sequence. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra17250d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The regioregularity index is a key factor governing the self-assembly of P3HT. We show that the configurational sequence plays an equally important role, with two P3HTs bearing an almost identical regioregularity index displaying different self-assembly behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Yu Kao
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsin-Chu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Rou-Yuan Pei
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsin-Chu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lung Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsin-Chu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Jean-Hong Chen
- Department of Materials Engineering
- Kun Shan University
- Tainan 71003
- Taiwan
| | - Show-An Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsin-Chu 30013
- Taiwan
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13
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Choi WT, Song J, Ko J, Jang Y, Kim TH, Han YS, Lim J, Lee C, Char K. Effect of solvent additives on bulk heterojunction morphology of organic photovoltaics and their impact on device performance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Won Tae Choi
- The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids, The WCU Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy and Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Jiyun Song
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Jongkuk Ko
- The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids, The WCU Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy and Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Yeongseon Jang
- The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids, The WCU Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy and Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Tae-Hwan Kim
- HANARO Center, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute; Daejeon 305-353 Korea
| | - Young-Soo Han
- HANARO Center, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute; Daejeon 305-353 Korea
| | - Jeewoo Lim
- The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids, The WCU Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy and Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Changhee Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
| | - Kookheon Char
- The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids, The WCU Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy and Environment, School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University; Seoul 151-744 Korea
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14
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Guo RH, Hsu CH, Hua CC, Chen SA. Colloidal aggregate and gel incubated by amorphous conjugated polymer in hybrid-solvent medium. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:3320-31. [PMID: 25607342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A practical valuable amorphous conjugated polymer, poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene (MEH-PPV), has been revealed to foster an abundance of micrometer-sized colloidal aggregates at relatively low concentration (below 1 wt %) in a hybrid-solvent medium that contains a nonsolvent, and the solution turned into gel by colloidal bridging after one-day aging at 30 °C. In contrast with typical polymer gels fostered by (anisotropic) chain cross-linking or planar packing on selective interacting sites, the MEH-PPV gel has been revealed (via dynamic light scattering, small-angle light scattering, time-sweep dynamic modulus and optical microscope) to first develop featureless aggregate clusters in solution and, as the solvent quality worsens with reduced system temperature, bridge themselves to form gel through a one-dimensional (1-D) to three-dimensional (3-D) kinetic pathway. Combined dynamic/static light scattering analyses, along with supporting scanning electron microscope image and molecular dynamics simulation, indicated a concomitant structural reorganization within the colloidal aggregates, where spontaneous chain packing was perceived to form local fiber-like materials that are elastic by nature (i.e., a q-independent decay rate). The near coincidence of the above-mentioned microscopic and macroscopic phase alterations led us to contend that similar fibrous materials have served as the exterior bridging agent to fabricate colloidal strands upon gelation. The present findings clarify previously enigmatic, much speculative, gelation phenomena of MEH-PPV, and shed light on the prospect of capitalizing on specific polymer-solvent interactions to incubate desirable colloidal aggregates and gels in room-temperature processing of practical valuable conjugated polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong H Guo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University , Chiayi 621, Taiwan, Republic of China
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15
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Kao KY, Lo SC, Chen HL, Chen JH, Chen SA. Gelation of a Solution of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Greatly Retards Its Crystallization Rate in the Subsequently Cast Film. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:14510-8. [DOI: 10.1021/jp508775b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuei-Yu Kao
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental
and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Chuan Lo
- Material
and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chutung, Hsin-Chu 31040, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lung Chen
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental
and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Jean-Hong Chen
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan 71003, Taiwan
| | - Show-An Chen
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental
and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsin-Chu 30013, Taiwan
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16
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Luo Y, Santos FA, Wagner TW, Tsoi E, Zhang S. Dynamic Interactions between Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Marginal Solvent. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:6038-46. [DOI: 10.1021/jp503128v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Luo
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Franceska A. Santos
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Taylor W. Wagner
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Eric Tsoi
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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17
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Kumar A, Takashima W, Kaneto K, Prakash R. Nano-dimensional self assembly of regioregular poly (3-hexylthiophene) in toluene: Structural, optical, and morphological properties. J Appl Polym Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/app.40931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- School of Materials Science and Technology; Indian Institute of Technology; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi 221005 India
| | - Wataru Takashima
- Research Center for Advanced Eco-Fitting Technology; Kyushu Institute of Technology; 2-4 Hibikino Wakamatsu-ku Kitakyushu 808-0196 Japan
| | - Keiichi Kaneto
- Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering; Kyushu Institute of Technology; 2-4 Hibikino Wakamatsu-ku Kitakyushu 808-0196 Japan
| | - Rajiv Prakash
- School of Materials Science and Technology; Indian Institute of Technology; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi 221005 India
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18
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Wagner TW, Luo Y, Redeker ND, Immoos CE, Zhang S. Effect of surface-modified zinc oxide nanowires on solution crystallization kinetics of poly(3-hexylthiophene). POLYMER 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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19
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Babu SS, Praveen VK, Ajayaghosh A. Functional π-gelators and their applications. Chem Rev 2014; 114:1973-2129. [PMID: 24400783 DOI: 10.1021/cr400195e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1251] [Impact Index Per Article: 125.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sukumaran Santhosh Babu
- Photosciences and Photonics Group, Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) , Trivandrum 695019, India
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20
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Synooka O, Eberhardt KR, Hoppe H. Chlorine-free processed high performance organic solar cells. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra01783h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate the successful replacement of a chlorinated solvent system based on a 1 : 1 mixture of chlorobenzene and ortho-dichlorobenzene with the chlorine-free solvent xylene, resulting in chlorine-free processing with a small amount of diiodooctane additive. In fact, the overall power conversion efficiency is improved from 6.71% for the chlorinated solvents to 7.15% for the chlorine-free solvent m-xylene.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Synooka
- Institute für Physik
- Technische Universität Ilmenau
- 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - K.-R. Eberhardt
- Institute für Physik
- Technische Universität Ilmenau
- 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - H. Hoppe
- Institute für Physik
- Technische Universität Ilmenau
- 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
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21
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Pearson AJ, Wang T, Lidzey DG. The role of dynamic measurements in correlating structure with optoelectronic properties in polymer : fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2013; 76:022501. [PMID: 23302508 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/76/2/022501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The characterization of morphology in blend thin-films of conjugated polymers and functionalized fullerenes is a critical aspect in organic photovoltaic (OPV) device research. Understanding the links between thin-film processing conditions, film nanostructure and photocurrent generation efficiency is necessary in order to develop this technology for commercial viability. Here, we review recent developments of experimental studies that probe sample nanostructure formation and modification during the processing steps commonly used in OPV device fabrication, potentially offering a deeper insight and more rational understating of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Pearson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK.
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22
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Hollamby MJ. Practical applications of small-angle neutron scattering. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2013; 15:10566-79. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp50293g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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23
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Keum JK, Xiao K, Ivanov IN, Hong K, Browning JF, Smith GS, Shao M, Littrell KC, Rondinone AJ, Andrew Payzant E, Chen J, Hensley DK. Solvent quality-induced nucleation and growth of parallelepiped nanorods in dilute poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) solution and the impact on the crystalline morphology of solution-cast thin film. CrystEngComm 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c2ce26666k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Dudenko D, Kiersnowski A, Shu J, Pisula W, Sebastiani D, Spiess HW, Hansen MR. A Strategy for Revealing the Packing in Semicrystalline π-Conjugated Polymers: Crystal Structure of Bulk Poly-3-hexyl-thiophene (P3HT). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:11068-72. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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25
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Dudenko D, Kiersnowski A, Shu J, Pisula W, Sebastiani D, Spiess HW, Hansen MR. A Strategy for Revealing the Packing in Semicrystalline π-Conjugated Polymers: Crystal Structure of Bulk Poly-3-hexyl-thiophene (P3HT). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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26
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Conformational structure and aggregation behavior of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] in toluene/nonane solutions. POLYMER 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2012.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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27
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Newbloom GM, Weigandt KM, Pozzo DC. Electrical, Mechanical, and Structural Characterization of Self-Assembly in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Organogel Networks. Macromolecules 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ma202564k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Newbloom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750,
United States
| | - Katie M. Weigandt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750,
United States
| | - Danilo C. Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750,
United States
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28
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Xiao G, Guo Y, Lin Y, Ma X, Su Z, Wang Q. Controlled evaporative self-assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene) monitored with confocal polarized Raman spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:16286-93. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cp43435k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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29
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Wu WR, Jeng US, Su CJ, Wei KH, Su MS, Chiu MY, Chen CY, Su WB, Su CH, Su AC. Competition between fullerene aggregation and poly(3-hexylthiophene) crystallization upon annealing of bulk heterojunction solar cells. ACS NANO 2011; 5:6233-6243. [PMID: 21749108 DOI: 10.1021/nn2010816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Concomitant development of [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) aggregation and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) crystallization in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) thin-film (ca. 85 nm) solar cells has been revealed using simultaneous grazing-incidence small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS/GIWAXS). With enhanced time and spatial resolutions (5 s/frame; minimum q ≈ 0.004 Å(-1)), synchrotron GISAXS has captured in detail the fast growth in size of PCBM aggregates from 7 to 18 nm within 100 s of annealing at 150 °C. Simultaneously observed is the enhanced crystallization of P3HT into lamellae oriented mainly perpendicular but also parallel to the substrate. An Avrami analysis of the observed structural evolution indicates that the faster PCBM aggregation follows a diffusion-controlled growth process (confined by P3HT segmental motion), whereas the slower development of crystalline P3HT nanograins is characterized by constant nucleation rate (determined by the degree of supercooling and PCBM demixing). These two competing kinetics result in local phase separation with space-filling PCBM and P3HT nanodomains less than 20 nm in size when annealing temperature is kept below 180 °C. Accompanying the morphological development is the synchronized increase in electron and hole mobilities of the BHJ thin-film solar cells, revealing the sensitivity of the carrier transport of the device on the structural features of PCBM and P3HT nanodomains. Optimized structural parameters, including the aggregate size and mean spacing of the PCBM aggregates, are quantitatively correlated to the device performance; a comprehensive network structure of the optimized BHJ thin film is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ru Wu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
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Newbloom GM, Kim FS, Jenekhe SA, Pozzo DC. Mesoscale Morphology and Charge Transport in Colloidal Networks of Poly(3-hexylthiophene). Macromolecules 2011. [DOI: 10.1021/ma2000515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Newbloom
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Felix S. Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Samson A. Jenekhe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Danilo C. Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
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