0000000001307903
AUTHOR
Ana Fokina
The Role of Emission Layer Morphology on the Enhanced Performance of Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Quantum Dot-Semiconducting Polymer Hybrids
The influence of the morphology of quantum dot (QD)-semiconducting polymer hybrid emission layers on the performance of quantum dot-based light emitting diodes (QLEDs) is systematically investigated. Chemically grafted QD-semiconducting polymer hybrids are fabricated by the ligand exchange procedure between CdSe/CdxZn1−xS QDs and a new block copolymer consisting of a carbazole-based electroactive block with a low highest occupied molecular orbital level and a disulfide-based anchor block. The performance of QLEDs with hybrid emission layers is compared with QLEDs utilizing QD-only and physically mixed QD/polymer emission layers. It is shown that only in the emission layers formed by chemica…
Synthesis of gold nanotubes with variable wall thicknesses
We report the synthesis of gold nanotubes with variable wall thicknesses that is accomplished by the deposition of sacrificial hydrophobic polymer cores followed by gold shells within an anodic aluminum oxide template. We demonstrate that by varying polymer core hydrophobicity, the resulting gold shell thickness can be varied. There are two requirements for gold shell formation: (1) the polymer core must be able to be electrodeposited into a tubular (as opposed to wire-like) structure, and (2) the polymer must be hydrophobic, such that it collapses upon exposure to an aqueous solution. An array of gold nanotubes has variable plasmonic properties and can function as a surface enhanced Raman …
Functionalization of P3HT with Various Mono- and Multidentate Anchor Groups
Due to its favorable optoelectronic properties and the accessibility via Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is one of the most applied conjugated polymers. The ‘living' nature of GRIM polymerization enables the modification of the polymer and the installation of desired properties. In the present study, two versatile approaches for the synthesis of anchor group-modified P3HT have been developed, which enable the functionalization of various inorganic nanoparticles. Depending on the polymerization conditions, mono- and bifunctional ethynyl-terminated P3HT or solely monofunctionalized aldehyde-terminated P3HT was synthesized. Afterwards, the quantitative …
Morphology control in biphasic hybrid systems of semiconducting materials.
Simple blends of inorganic nanocrystals and organic (semiconducting) polymers usually lead to macroscopic segregation. Thus, such blends typically exhibit inferior properties than expected. To overcome the problem of segregation, polymer coated nanocrystals (nanocomposites) have been developed. Such nanocomposites are highly miscible within the polymer matrix. In this Review, a summary of synthetic approaches to achieve stable nanocomposites in a semiconducting polymer matrix is presented. Furthermore, a theoretical background as well as an overview concerning morphology control of inorganic NCs in polymer matrices are provided. In addition, the morphologic behavior of highly anisotropic na…
Multidentate Polysarcosine-Based Ligands for Water-Soluble Quantum Dots
We describe the synthesis of heterotelechelic polysarcosine polymers and their use as multidentate ligands in the preparation of stable water-soluble quantum dots (QDs). Orthogonally functionalized polysarcosine with amine and dibenzocyclooctyl (DBCO) end groups is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of N-methylglycine N-carboxyanhydride with DBCO amine as initiator. In a first postpolymerization modification step, the future biological activity of the polymeric ligands is adjusted by modification of the amine terminus. Then, in a second postpolymerization modification step, azide functionalized di- and tridentate anchor compounds are introduced to the DBCO terminus of the polysarcosine…
Conducting Polymer with Orthogonal Catechol and Disulfide Anchor Groups for the Assembly of Inorganic Nanostructures
To combine several inorganic components with organic material in a controlled special and permanent manner still remains a difficult issue. Two specifically functionalized block copolymers were synthesized separately and combined in a second step. A heterofunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block copolymer bearing a single amino unit, a short PEG spacer, and multiple catechol functionalities was obtained via anionic ring-opening polymerization (AROP). Using the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization technique, a semiconducting block copolymer with carbazole side groups was obtained. The second polyacrylate block contained reactive ester groups and …
Side-chain conjugated polymers for use in the active layers of hybrid semiconducting polymer/quantum dot light emitting diodes
Three monomers, M1–M3, with modified carbazole cores and styrene functionality were prepared for use in the active layers of hybrid polymer/quantum dot light emitting diodes. Utilizing reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, side-chain conjugated polymers, P1–P3, with narrow polydispersities and disulfide end groups were obtained. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of the polymers varied depending on the substituents of the carbazole cores. Through the disulfide end groups the polymers were chemically blended with quantum dots to obtain QD/polymer hybrids, which were further used as active layers in light emitting diodes. The fabricated devices ret…
Functionalization of P3HT with Various Mono- and Multidentate Anchor Groups
Due to its favorable optoelectronic properties and the accessibility via Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is one of the most applied conjugated polymers. The ‘living' nature of GRIM polymerization enables the modification of the polymer and the installation of desired properties. In the present study, two versatile approaches for the synthesis of anchor group-modified P3HT have been developed, which enable the functionalization of various inorganic nanoparticles. Depending on the polymerization conditions, mono- and bifunctional ethynyl-terminated P3HT or solely monofunctionalized aldehyde-terminated P3HT was synthesized. Afterwards, the quantitative …