The
synthesis, characterization, and charge transport performance
of novel copolymers PNDIFu2 made from alternating naphthalene diimide
(NDI) and bifuran (Fu2) units are reported. Usage of potentially biomass-derived
Fu2 as alternating repeat unit enables flattened polymer backbones
due to reduced steric interactions between the imide oxygens and Fu2
units, as seen by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and
UV–vis spectroscopy. Aggregation of PNDIFu2 in solution is
enhanced if compared to the analogous NDI–bithiophene (T2)
copolymers PNDIT2, occurring in all solvents and temperatures probed.
PNDIFu2 features a smaller π–π stacking distance
of 0.35 nm compared to 0.39 nm seen for PNDIT2. Alignment of aggregates
in films is achieved by using off-center spin coating, whereby PNDIFu2
exhibits a stronger dichroic ratio and transport anisotropy in field-effect
transistors (FET) compared to PNDIT2, with an overall good electron
mobility of 0.21 cm2/(V s). Despite an enhanced backbone
planarity, the smaller π–π stacking and the enhanced
charge transport anisotropy, the electron mobility of PNDIFu2 is about
three times lower compared to PNDIT2. Density functional theory calculations
suggest that charge transport in PNDIFu2 is limited by enhanced polaron
localization compared to PNDIT2.
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