A new strategy for co-assembling π-conjugated polymer/cadmium sulfide hybrids into an efficient charge-transporting nanochannel array by using an all-conjugated diblock copolymer motif

Transformation of Step-Growth Polymerization into Living Chain-Growth Polymerization

“…Dai prepared block copolymer 17 bearing a 2-ethylhexyl side chain in the polythiophene block, which decreases the crystallinity, and found that 17 was able to cocrystallize into a single uniform domain comprising PPP and poly­(3-(2-ethylhexyl)­thiophene) main chains with mutually interdigitated side chains spaced between . Dai also synthesized PPP- b -P3HT/cadmium sulfide hydroxide (CdS–OH) nanohybrids, which can be used as bicontinuous nanochannels for efficient charge separation and charge transport …”

Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Perylene Diimide (PDI) Crystals

“…However, the P3HT/PDI thin film prepared from the dispersion in THF shows a relatively lower amplitude fraction (73.2%) with a longer PL lifetime (0.85 ns) than the P3HT/PDI thin films obtained from the dispersions in particles, and PDI crystals decrease exciton dissociation within a p−n junction. 44 From these results, we concluded that coassembled p−n junctions at the ∼10 nm scale can increase the interaction between P3HT and PDI and provide a large number of interfaces for charge transfer.…”

“…The greater decay amplitude fractions in the P3HT/PDI thin films from the dispersions in CHCl 3 and toluene (83.7 and 82.0%, respectively) indicate faster exciton dissociation within a p–n junction in the coassembled P3HT/PDI structure. However, the P3HT/PDI thin film prepared from the dispersion in THF shows a relatively lower amplitude fraction (73.2%) with a longer PL lifetime (0.85 ns) than the P3HT/PDI thin films obtained from the dispersions in particles, and PDI crystals decrease exciton dissociation within a p–n junction . From these results, we concluded that coassembled p–n junctions at the ∼10 nm scale can increase the interaction between P3HT and PDI and provide a large number of interfaces for charge transfer.…”

Synergistic In Situ Hybrid Synthesis of Highly Crystalline P3HT/ZnO Nanowires at Elevated Pressures

“…Conventional surface modifications for improving miscibility of nanocrystals often involve mixing organic alkyl ligands (e.g., carboxylic acids, phosphines, thiols, disulfides, amines, and nitriles) with nanocrystals or quantum dots, leading to the development of a stable dispersion of nanocrystals as colloids in different solvents . Nevertheless, the insulating nature of many modifying surfactants severely impedes charge separation at the D/A interface as well as charge passage in the active layer owing to the formation of a spatial insulating barrier outside semiconducting nanocrystals . To conquer these issues, it is essential to eliminate additional capping ligands or substitute them with conducting ones. , Seo et al demonstrated a strategy for dispersing quantum dots by using thermally separable ligands, followed by a heating treatment to eliminate them in the photoactive layer .…”

“…13 Nevertheless, the insulating nature of many modifying surfactants severely impedes charge separation at the D/A interface as well as charge passage in the active layer owing to the formation of a spatial insulating barrier outside semiconducting nanocrystals. 14 To conquer these issues, it is essential to eliminate additional capping ligands 15 or substitute them with conducting ones. 16, 17 Seo et al demonstrated a strategy for dispersing quantum dots by using thermally separable ligands, followed by a heating treatment to eliminate them in the photoactive layer.…”