Vinylene-bridged naphthalenediimide-based dual-acceptor copolymers for thin-film transistors and solar steam generation
Journal
RSC Applied Polymers
Journal Volume
3
Journal Issue
4
Start Page
1011
End Page
1018
ISSN
2755-371X
Date Issued
2025-06-06
Author(s)
Lin, Chia-Yang
Wu, Guan-Lin
Wang, Ting-Yu
He, Waner
Wu, Ying-Sheng
Imaoka, Shunsuke
Shimizu, Shohei
Chen, Wen-Chang
Sagara, Yoshimitsu
Michinobu, Tsuyoshi
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that introducing vinylene bridges into naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based dual-acceptor copolymers is an effective strategy to improve backbone coplanarity and charge transport properties in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). However, their potential as multifunctional materials for broader optoelectronic applications remains unexplored. In this study, we designed and synthesized four vinylene-bridged NDI (vNDI)-based conjugated polymers containing benzothiadiazole (S), benzotriazole (N), triazolobenzothiadiazole (NS), and benzobistriazole (NN) as second acceptors. Structural analysis revealed that the backbone conformation and electron-withdrawing ability of the acceptors significantly influence optical and electronic properties. Among them, vNDI-NS exhibited the narrowest optical bandgap (1.05 eV), while vNDI-N displayed the highest ambipolar mobility in OFETs, attributed to enhanced crystallinity and improved π-π stacking. Furthermore, these polymers were applied as photothermal membranes in solar steam generation (SSG) devices. Films based on vNDI-NS and vNDI-NN achieved solar-to-vapor conversion efficiencies of 58.3% and 56.4%, respectively, under 1 sun illumination. This study expands the applications of vNDI-based polymers beyond OFETs, providing a dual-functional platform combining electrical and photothermal performance.
SDGs
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Type
journal article