Conjugated polymers with mixed-ion conducting capabilities have garnered increased attention due to the potential for these materials to be integrated into emerging applications, such as bio-electronics, batteries, and electrochromics. Regarding the design of new polymers for these applications, much of the focus has been on the polymer structure, such as the π-conjugated units employed or the identity of the alkyl/poly(ethylene glycol) sidechains. Recently, our group has reported the development of a porous film morphology for use in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). It was found that porous morphology allowed for the increased penetration and intercalation of the aqueous electrolyte even when hydrophobic conjugated polymers were employed affording transconductance values up to 364 S cm-1. In this work, we explore how the polymer morphology influences the charge transport for a series of p-type/n-type diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene copolymers. Specifically, we probe the ability of the electrolyte to penetrate the porous individual and layered polymer films where the identity of the polymer (p-type/n-type) and the identity of the electrolyte (KCl, KClO4, KPF6, TBAPF6, and TBAClO4) are varied. The individual and layered polymer films are subjected to extensive electrochemical characterization including CV, DPV, and spectro-electrochemistry. Additionally, the morphology and microstructure of the films are extensively characterized using GIWAXS, and AFM. The findings here demonstrate the benefits and limitations of employing a porous morphology, and they provide further insight to assist with the material design and development for next-generation electronic applications.

Probing the effects of film nanostructure for conjugated polymers in applications as mixed-ion conductors

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ACS Fall 2022

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