Project R-14992

In-depth analysis of the structural perfectness of conjugated polymers and its impact on organic electronics (Research)

Conjugated polymers hold great promise for (opto)electronic applications such as organic solar cells, photodetectors, and transistors. Yet, some critical challenges remain, e.g. the presence of structural defects in state-of-the-art polymer semiconductors. For the currently employed polymerizations, monomer alternation is simply assumed rather than properly analyzed, and the occurrence of defects is mostly neglected, although their negative impact on device performance has been demonstrated. This results in strong batch-to-batch variations and even erroneous structure-property relationships, and obviously hinders further development in organic electronics. In this project, my goal is to systematically explore the impact of these defects by comparing specific benchmark polymers to newly synthesized defect-free analogs. To surpass conventional analytical limits and resolve some fundamental issues (e.g. defect quantification and accurate molecular weight determination), advanced characterization techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry will be applied. My studies then also extend into the electro-optical domain, unraveling the influence of structural defects on key material and device parameters (e.g. mobility, etc.). Through collaborative interdisciplinary efforts, this project will fill fundamental knowledge gaps and collect essential insights on the importance of defect-free materials to advance organic semiconductor technologies.

01 November 2024 - 31 October 2025