Controlling energetic disorder in polymer semiconductors

Chemical and structural disorder in pi-conjugated polymers causes trapping of charger carriers and limits the charge mobility in polymer-based field-effect transistors (FETs). This presentation will show our work on controlling this trapping via two approaches: channel doping and polymer chain rigidification. It will highlight polynitrofluorenes as tunable, soluble and stable dopants for organic electronics, showing their effect on FET charge mobility, operational stress and long-term stability. It will also introduce our new series of highly rigid cross-conjugated polymers with a remarkably narrow NIR absorption/emission bands, ambipolar charge transport and applications in all-polymer photovoltaics.