Conformation Control of Conjugated Polymers

Abstract

In the past few decades, conjugated polymers have aroused extensive interest in organic electronic applications. The electrical performance of conjugated polymers has a close relationship with their backbone conformation. The conformation of the polymer backbone strongly affects the π­electron delocalization along polymer chains, the energy bandgap, interchain interactions, and further affecting charge transport properties. To realize a rigid coplanar backbone that usually possesses efficient intrachain charge transport properties and enhanced π‐π stackings, such conformation control becomes a useful strategy to achieve the high‐performance (semi)conducting polymers. This review summarizes the most important polymer structures through conformation control at molecular levels, and then divides these rigid coplanar conjugated polymers into three categories: 1) non‐covalent interactions locked conjugated polymers; 2) double‐bond linked conjugated polymers; 3) ladder conjugated polymers. The effect of the conformation control on physical nature, optoelectronic properties, and their device performance is also discussed, as well as the challenges of chemical synthesis and structural characterization.