Highly Efficient n?Doping via Proton Abstraction of an Acceptor ₁ ?Acceptor ₂ Alternating Copolymer toward Thermoelectric Applications

Electron transporting (n-type) polymers are the coveted complementary counterpart to more thoroughly studied hole (p-type) semiconducting polymers. Besides intrinsic stability issues of doped form n-type polymer toward ubiquitous oxidizing agents (H2O and O2), choice suitable n-dopants underlying mechanism doping is an open research field. Using a low LUMO, unipolar acceptor1-acceptor2 copolymer poly(DPP-TPD) in conjunction with bulk n-doping using Cs2CO3 these can be addressed. A solid-state acid-base interaction between basic carbonate increases backbone electron density by deprotonation thiophene comonomer while forming bicarbonate, as revealed NMR optical spectroscopy. Comparable N-DMBI hydride/electron transfer, proton abstraction shifts work function LUMO. Thereby, anionic state resilient against O2 but susceptible H2O. Based on GIWAXS, mostly incorporated into amorphous regions help hydrophilic side chains has minor impact short-range order polymer. architecture creates synergistic n-doped system promising properties for thermoelectric energy conversion, evidenced remarkable power factor (5.59 ± 0.39) × µW m?1 K?2.