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Enhanced miscibility and strain resistance of blended elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer composites through side chain functionalization towards stretchable electronics
Author(s) -
Pakhnyuk Viktoria,
Onorato Jonathan W,
Steiner Emily J,
Cohen Theodore A,
Luscombe Christine K
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5954
Subject(s) - materials science , surface modification , miscibility , elastomer , composite material , polymer , polybutadiene , stretchable electronics , polymer blend , chemical engineering , electronics , copolymer , chemistry , engineering
This work presents improved compatibility in an elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer blend through side chain functionalization of the electronic polymer. Poly[(3‐(6‐bromohexyl)thiophene)‐ ran ‐(3‐hexylthiophene)] (P3Br x HT, x = 0%–100%) was synthesized (i) to improve miscibility with polybutadiene (PB) elastomer through altered π–π interactions and (ii) to covalently bond across phase‐segregated interfaces. Functionalization led to morphology with reduced domain sizes to improve crack onset strain from 7% to 40%. Furthermore, UV‐activated crosslinking reinforced mechanically weak interfaces and yielded at least an additional 40% increase in crack onset strain. Charge mobility in PB/P3Br x HT organic field‐effect transistors showed minimal dependence on bromide concentration and no negative effects from crosslinking. Functionalization was an effective method to reduce brittleness in PB/P3Br x HT blends through morphology modification and crosslinking to improve stability towards strain for potential stretchable electronic applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry