An ordered, self-assembled nanocomposite with efficient electronic and ionic transport.
Tyler James QuillGarrett LeCroyDavid M HalatRajendar SheelamanthulaAdam MarksLorena S GrundyIain McCullochJeffrey A ReimerNitash P BalsaraAlexander GiovannittiAlberto SalleoChristopher J TakacsPublished in: Nature materials (2023)
Mixed conductors-materials that can efficiently conduct both ionic and electronic species-are an important class of functional solids. Here we demonstrate an organic nanocomposite that spontaneously forms when mixing an organic semiconductor with an ionic liquid and exhibits efficient room-temperature mixed conduction. We use a polymer known to form a semicrystalline microstructure to template ion intercalation into the side-chain domains of the crystallites, which leaves electronic transport pathways intact. Thus, the resulting material is ordered, exhibiting alternating layers of rigid semiconducting sheets and soft ion-conducting layers. This unique dual-network microstructure leads to a dynamic ionic/electronic nanocomposite with liquid-like ionic transport and highly mobile electronic charges. Using a combination of operando X-ray scattering and in situ spectroscopy, we confirm the ordered structure of the nanocomposite and uncover the mechanisms that give rise to efficient electron transport. These results provide fundamental insights into charge transport in organic semiconductors, as well as suggesting a pathway towards future improvements in these nanocomposites.
Keyphrases
- ionic liquid
- room temperature
- reduced graphene oxide
- carbon nanotubes
- quantum dots
- white matter
- visible light
- high resolution
- gold nanoparticles
- solar cells
- solid state
- solid phase extraction
- magnetic resonance imaging
- highly efficient
- magnetic resonance
- water soluble
- multiple sclerosis
- single molecule
- network analysis
- monte carlo