Based on the first-time demonstration of controlled assembly of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a model conjugated polymer, into mesoscale rod-like features, mechanistic elucidation of mesoscale molecular assembly process of P3HT could be proposed. Application of simple 2-step crystallization model successfully elaborated assembly process of P3HT molecules. We believe that understanding of the mesoscale polymer assembly process obtained in this study using P3HT can be expanded to other conjugated molecule-solvent systems so that molecular assembly through solution processing methods can be applied in a more systematic and controllable manner.<br/>Further, through systematic interrogation of P3HT films with varied degrees of molecular ordering prepared by controlling assembly of P3HT molecules, an inverse relationship between mechanical resiliency and charge carrier mobility/molecular ordering in conjugated polymer systems was determined definitively. As a solution to the dilemma, a simple blend approach mixing elastomer and conjugated polymer solution was presented. The primary aim of the strategy was incorporating a ductile mechanical characteristic of elastomer matrix and simultaneously exploiting molecular interaction between components as a driving force for further conjugated polymer ordering. As opposed to a single component organic semiconductor film, a composite of processed P3HT and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was shown to create a semiconducting film exhibiting higher ductility and mobility at the same time.

Controlled assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene): From fundamental understanding of conjugated polymer assembly process towards stretchable electronics

255th National Meeting (2018)

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