Macroscopically Oriented Polymer Fibers for High Charge Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organic semiconductor devices, such as field-effect transistors, face challenges in achieving high charge mobilities due to difficulties in forming conjugated polymer compositions with improved functional properties, particularly in aligning polymer fibers for enhanced electrical and optical properties.
Innovation Solution
The development of conjugated polymer compositions with directionally aligned polymer fibers, where the longitudinal axes of the polymers are substantially aligned, forming a bundle that exhibits high field effect saturation mobility, achieved through specific molecular architectures and nanostructured substrates that facilitate macroscopic orientation of polymer fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solution processing methods are used for conjugated polymers, then low-cost fabrication is achieved, but polymer fibers cannot be directionally aligned resulting in low charge mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment layer as an intermediary component between the substrate and the conjugated polymer. This alignment layer, which can be a rubbed polymer layer or nanostructured surface, mediates the orientation of polymer fibers during solution processing, enabling directional alignment without complex manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies processing parameters such as solvent selection, drying conditions, and substrate treatment to control polymer fiber orientation. By changing these parameters, the system achieves directional alignment of polymer fibers while maintaining solution processing simplicity
2Reliability
If high molecular weight conjugated polymers are used, then charge mobility is improved, but solubility and processability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs copolymer designs that combine high molecular weight conjugated segments with solubility-enhancing side chains or blocks. This composite molecular architecture maintains the charge transport properties of high MW polymers while improving solubility for solution processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solubility-enhancing groups or flexible side chains at specific locations along the polymer backbone. This local modification approach preserves the conjugated core's charge mobility while adding solubility functionality where needed
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers include, for example, one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nano structured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.