Efficient molecular doping of polymeric semiconductors driven by anion exchange

Yu Yamashita, Junto Tsurumi, Masahiro Ohno, Ryo Fujimoto, Shohei Kumagai, Tadanori Kurosawa, Toshihiro Okamoto, Jun Takeya and Shun Watanabe ()
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Yu Yamashita: University of Tokyo
Junto Tsurumi: University of Tokyo
Masahiro Ohno: University of Tokyo
Ryo Fujimoto: University of Tokyo
Shohei Kumagai: University of Tokyo
Tadanori Kurosawa: University of Tokyo
Toshihiro Okamoto: University of Tokyo
Jun Takeya: University of Tokyo
Shun Watanabe: University of Tokyo

Nature, 2019, vol. 572, issue 7771, 634-638

Abstract: Abstract The efficiency with which polymeric semiconductors can be chemically doped—and the charge carrier densities that can thereby be achieved—is determined primarily by the electrochemical redox potential between the π-conjugated polymer and the dopant species1,2. Thus, matching the electron affinity of one with the ionization potential of the other can allow effective doping3,4. Here we describe a different process—which we term ‘anion exchange’—that might offer improved doping levels. This process is mediated by an ionic liquid solvent and can be pictured as the effective instantaneous exchange of a conventional small p-type dopant anion with a second anion provided by an ionic liquid. The introduction of optimized ionic salt (the ionic liquid solvent) into a conventional binary donor–acceptor system can overcome the redox potential limitations described by Marcus theory5, and allows an anion-exchange efficiency of nearly 100 per cent. As a result, doping levels of up to almost one charge per monomer unit can be achieved. This demonstration of increased doping levels, increased stability and excellent transport properties shows that anion-exchange doping, which can use an almost infinite selection of ionic salts, could be a powerful tool for the realization of advanced molecular electronics.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1504-9

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