Conductive Polymers for Flexible and Stretchable Organic Optoelectronic Applications

Abstract

Flexible and stretchable optoelectronics including organic solar cells, electronic skins, organic electrochemical transistors, organic light-emitting diodes, and supercapacitors will play an important role in our lives in the future. Conductive electrodes with desirable mechanical properties are the key to achieving those devices with high performance. Conductive polymers (CPs) have emerged as promising elastic electrode materials for these unprecedented devices as electrodes, buffer layers, channels, or interconnectors. In this review, we first introduce the conductive mechanisms, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of CPs and the nanoconfinement effect for semiconductors. Then cutting-edge advances in optoelectronics with CPs are reviewed. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives for CPs modification and device fabrication are provided for developing these next-generation devices with flexible, wearable, and stretchable properties.

Versatile organic photovoltaics with a power density of nearly 40 W g−1

“…selfpowered electronic devices, building or vehicle-integration, space technology, etc. 15,[23][24][25] This requires systematic optimization of the substrate, transparent electrodes, active layers, interfaces, and device structures for OPVs with the desirable mechanical and optoelectronic properties. 26 To bypass the disadvantages of ITO transparent electrodes, a variety of transparent electrodes, e.g.…”

Ultrathin organic membranes: Can they sustain the quest for mechanically robust device applications?

“…Polymeric films, especially with nanoscale thickness, are attracting a tremendous interest due to perspective applications spanning a variety of fields, from environment and energy-related separation/transportation to soft robotics ( Figure 1 ). Ultrathin polymeric films represent ideal functional components of the next-generation membranes for gas separation, 1 desalinization 2 and nanofiltration, 3 thin-film transistors, 4 , 5 wearable sensing devices, 6 long-life high-capacity batteries, 7 and miniaturized soft robots, 8 , 9 , 10 whose efficiency and performance can in principle greatly benefit from thickness reduction down to the nanoscale.

Figure 1 Ultrathin polymeric films applications Overview of applications of ultrathin films, such as thin-film transistors (reproduced with permission from Wu et al.

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Figure 1 Ultrathin polymeric films applications Overview of applications of ultrathin films, such as thin-film transistors (reproduced with permission from Wu et al. 5 ), soft robotics (reproduced with permission from Schmauch et al. 9 ), energy storage, wearable devices, and separation membranes.

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Construction of Alkaline Gel Polymer Electrolytes with a Double Cross-Linked Network for Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries

“…1−4 In particular, the evolution of high-energy storage devices with lightweight and multifunction remains an enormous challenge. 5 Zinc−air battery is considered the most promising next-generation power system because of its high theoretical specific energy (1086 Wh kg −1 ), abundant resource, and environmental friendliness. 6−8 Several studies devoted to reducing zinc anode dendrites and promoting electrocatalytic efficiency have made significant progress recently.…”

“…The growing demand for portable wearable technologies in the information age has inspired extensive research into safe, efficient, and comfortable flexible electronics, especially in mobile health-medical monitoring. − In particular, the evolution of high-energy storage devices with lightweight and multifunction remains an enormous challenge . Zinc–air battery is considered the most promising next-generation power system because of its high theoretical specific energy (1086 Wh kg –1 ), abundant resource, and environmental friendliness. − Several studies devoted to reducing zinc anode dendrites and promoting electrocatalytic efficiency have made significant progress recently. − However, most use alkaline aqueous electrolytes, which are extremely difficult to achieve the all-solid-state and flexibility of zinc–air batteries.…”