Charge-transfer localization in molecularly doped thiophene-based donor polymers

Patrick Pingel, Lingyun Zhu, Kue Surk Park, Jörn Oliver Vogel, Silvia Janietz, Eung Gun Kim, Jürgen P. Rabe, Jean Luc Brédas, Norbert Koch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

We provide evidence for highly localized charge-transfer complex formation between a series of thiophenetetrafluorobenzene donor copolymers and the molecular acceptor tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). Infrared absorption spectra of diagnostic vibrational bands in conjunction with theoretical modeling show that one acceptor molecule undergoes charge transfer with a quaterthiophene segment of the polymers, irrespective of the macroscopic polymer ionization energy and acceptor concentration in thin films. The interaction is thus determined by the"local ionization potential" of quaterthiophene. Consequently, using materials parameters determined on a macroscopic length scale as a guideline for making new charge-transfer complex materials for high electrical conductivity turns out to be oversimplified, and a reliable material design must take into account property variations on the nm scale as well.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2037-2041
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume1
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Charge-transfer localization in molecularly doped thiophene-based donor polymers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this