Electrostatic assembly of a specific self-doped conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE-K) with a cationic bottlebrush polyelectrolyte (BPE), resulted in dense complexes with tunable photophysical and mechanical properties. Systematic variation of the CPE-K:BPE composition resulted in a pronounced shift in photoluminescence from the visible (680 nm) to the near infrared (850 nm), which was attributed to enhanced chain planarization and interchain aggregation within the complex. This result enabled control of the optical properties of the conjugated polyelectrolyte without a change of chemical structure.
This work establishes ionic complexation as a versatile strategy to decouple and control optoelectronic and mechanical properties in conjugated polymer electrolyte complexes, enabling the design of soft and printable functional materials.
Wakidi, Lapkriengkri, Zele, Do, Arunlimsawat, Rhode, Lanuza, Rodriguez, Promarak, Nguyen‐Dang, Pitenis, Bates, Chabinyc & Nguyen “Photophysical and Viscoelastic Properties of Ionically Complexed Conjugated Polyelectrolyte for Printed Soft Electronics” Adv. Func. Mater. 36, e04946 (2026). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202504946
Download
Photophysical and Viscoelastic Properties of Ionically Complexed Conjugated Polyelectrolyte for Printed Soft Electronics
Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at UCSB
The NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at UC Santa Barbara develops and sustains a productive, collaborative, and engaged community that drives a portfolio of transformative materials research and empowers a diverse workforce.