Template-mediated nano-crystallite networks in semiconducting polymers

Sooncheol Kwon, Kilho Yu, Kyoungchun Kweon, Geunjin Kim, Junghwan Kim, Heejoo Kim, Yong Ryun Jo, Bong Joong Kim, Jehan Kim, Seoung Ho Lee, Kwanghee Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unlike typical inorganic semiconductors with a crystal structure, the charge dynamics of Ï conjugated polymers (Ï CPs) are severely limited by the presence of amorphous portions between the ordered crystalline regions. Thus, the formation of interconnected pathways along crystallites of Ï CPs is desired to ensure highly efficient charge transport in printable electronics. Here we report the formation of nano-crystallite networks in Ï CP films by employing novel template-mediated crystallization (TMC) via polaron formation and electrostatic interaction. The lateral and vertical charge transport of TMC-treated films increased by two orders of magnitude compared with pristine Ï CPs. In particular, because of the unprecedented room temperature and solution-processing advantages of our TMC method, we achieve a field-effect mobility of 0.25â ‰cm 2 â ‰V â ̂'1 â ‰s â ̂'1 using a plastic substrate, which corresponds to the highest value reported thus far. Because our findings can be applied to various Ï conjugated semiconductors, our approach is universal and is expected to yield high-performance printable electronics.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4183
JournalNature Communications
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Jun 2014

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