Organic Polymer Semiconductor Superlattices

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe describe the synthesis and study of the first organic polymer semiconductor superlattices designed as periodic block conjugated copolymers, (−AxBy−)m. The observed variation of electronic spectra and wavelength of the lowest energy absorption maxima with block length y are interpreted in terms of quantum confinement size effects predicted for semiconductor superlattices. The periodic block conjugated copolymers were synthesized by a two-step strategy that ensure strict control of sequence, block length and periodicity. It is suggested that organic semiconductor superlattices provide a rational and systematic approach to the molecular engineering of electronic, optical, nonlinear optical, and electro–optical properties in polymeric materials and hold promise for molecular electronics and molecular photonics.