Insoluble Patterns of Cross-Linkable Conjugated Polymers from Blend Demixing in Spin Cast Films

Insoluble patterns of cross-linkable conjugated polymers, CPs, are obtained from spin coating their blends with polystyrene, PS, following an approach first demonstrated for poly [2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl)hexyloxy-2,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) by Castro et al. (Chem. Mater. 2006, 18, 5504). Taking advantage of the CP and PS tendency to phase separate, we make use of CP functionality to be cross-linked, so PS can be removed, leaving behind a solvent-resistant pattern. Columnar, spike, and porous structures can be obtained. Furthermore, we show that these patterns morphologies and dimensions can be controlled by adjusting the experimental conditions and the PS molecular weight. We present strategies to tune cross-linkable CP’s films morphologies aiming for applications in organic solar cells and light-emitting devices.