Molecular basis of mesophase ordering in a thiophene-based copolymer

Dean M. Delongchamp; R. Joseph Kline; Youngsuk Jung; Eric K. Lin; Daniel A. Fischer; David J. Gundlach; Sarah K. Cotts; Andrew J. Moad; Lee J. Richter; Michael F. Toney; Martin Heeney; Iain McCulloch

doi:10.1021/ma800440f

Molecular basis of mesophase ordering in a thiophene-based copolymer

Dean M. Delongchamp, R. Joseph Kline, Youngsuk Jung, Eric K. Lin, Daniel A. Fischer, David J. Gundlach, Sarah K. Cotts, Andrew J. Moad, Lee J. Richter, Michael F. Toney, Martin Heeney, Iain McCulloch

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

The carrier mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b] thiophene) semiconductors can be substantially enhanced after heating through a thermotropic mesophase transition, which causes a significant improvement in thin film structural order. By directly measuring film structure throughout a heating and cooling cycle, we identify the molecular origin of this mesophase transition as the melting of interdigitated linear alkane side chains, in this case quaterdecyl. The morphology and phase behavior throughout the thermal cycle are controlled by the changing conformation of the side chains. Surprisingly, the melting of the side chains allows increases in the backbone order, π-π stacking, and carrier mobility. Upon cooling, the side chains recrystallize to preserve the excellent mesophase order and enhanced electrical performance.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	5709-5715
Number of pages	7
Journal	Macromolecules
Volume	41
Issue number	15
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/ma800440f
State	Published - Aug 12 2008
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Organic Chemistry
Polymers and Plastics
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Chemistry

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10.1021/ma800440f

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title = "Molecular basis of mesophase ordering in a thiophene-based copolymer",

abstract = "The carrier mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b] thiophene) semiconductors can be substantially enhanced after heating through a thermotropic mesophase transition, which causes a significant improvement in thin film structural order. By directly measuring film structure throughout a heating and cooling cycle, we identify the molecular origin of this mesophase transition as the melting of interdigitated linear alkane side chains, in this case quaterdecyl. The morphology and phase behavior throughout the thermal cycle are controlled by the changing conformation of the side chains. Surprisingly, the melting of the side chains allows increases in the backbone order, π-π stacking, and carrier mobility. Upon cooling, the side chains recrystallize to preserve the excellent mesophase order and enhanced electrical performance.",

author = "Delongchamp, {Dean M.} and Kline, {R. Joseph} and Youngsuk Jung and Lin, {Eric K.} and Fischer, {Daniel A.} and Gundlach, {David J.} and Cotts, {Sarah K.} and Moad, {Andrew J.} and Richter, {Lee J.} and Toney, {Michael F.} and Martin Heeney and Iain McCulloch",

year = "2008",

month = aug,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1021/ma800440f",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "41",

pages = "5709--5715",

journal = "Macromolecules",

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publisher = "American Chemical Society",

number = "15",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Molecular basis of mesophase ordering in a thiophene-based copolymer

AU - Delongchamp, Dean M.

AU - Kline, R. Joseph

AU - Jung, Youngsuk

AU - Lin, Eric K.

AU - Fischer, Daniel A.

AU - Gundlach, David J.

AU - Cotts, Sarah K.

AU - Moad, Andrew J.

AU - Richter, Lee J.

AU - Toney, Michael F.

AU - Heeney, Martin

AU - McCulloch, Iain

PY - 2008/8/12

Y1 - 2008/8/12

N2 - The carrier mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b] thiophene) semiconductors can be substantially enhanced after heating through a thermotropic mesophase transition, which causes a significant improvement in thin film structural order. By directly measuring film structure throughout a heating and cooling cycle, we identify the molecular origin of this mesophase transition as the melting of interdigitated linear alkane side chains, in this case quaterdecyl. The morphology and phase behavior throughout the thermal cycle are controlled by the changing conformation of the side chains. Surprisingly, the melting of the side chains allows increases in the backbone order, π-π stacking, and carrier mobility. Upon cooling, the side chains recrystallize to preserve the excellent mesophase order and enhanced electrical performance.

AB - The carrier mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b] thiophene) semiconductors can be substantially enhanced after heating through a thermotropic mesophase transition, which causes a significant improvement in thin film structural order. By directly measuring film structure throughout a heating and cooling cycle, we identify the molecular origin of this mesophase transition as the melting of interdigitated linear alkane side chains, in this case quaterdecyl. The morphology and phase behavior throughout the thermal cycle are controlled by the changing conformation of the side chains. Surprisingly, the melting of the side chains allows increases in the backbone order, π-π stacking, and carrier mobility. Upon cooling, the side chains recrystallize to preserve the excellent mesophase order and enhanced electrical performance.

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DO - 10.1021/ma800440f

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EP - 5715

JO - Macromolecules

JF - Macromolecules

IS - 15

ER -

Molecular basis of mesophase ordering in a thiophene-based copolymer

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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