Polymer blends with semiconducting nanowires for organic electronics

This article reviews the recent advances in organic electronics based on polymer blends with one-dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs) of π-conjugated polymers. Self-assembled polymer semiconducting NWs are fascinating building blocks for their directional extension of inter- and intramolecular π-conjugation. This extensive conjugation provides unique electrical and optical properties that benefit applications in organic electronic devices. Outstanding performances are particularly expected from blending these NWs with insulating polymers or semiconducting molecules. Several representative reports describing NWs prepared from semiconducting/insulating polymer blends, conjugated block copolymers, or electrospinning for use as high-performance organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) are discussed. The concepts of phase-separation behavior and the growth of crystalline NWs from multi-phase blend solutions are also illustrated. Research into the solubility-induced formation of NWs from semiconducting polymer/n-type small molecule blends for high-efficiency organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs) is introduced. In addition, the effects of the chemical properties of conjugated polymers on the optical and electrical properties of NWs and the use of ordered NW structures in OPVs are summarized. This critical review provides insights and a new perspective on the optimization of blend morphologies, which consequently enhances the performance of organic electronic devices.