Abstract: The present disclosure describes additives that attenuate a specific transport channel in ambipolar semiconductors to achieve unipolar characteristics. Carrier selective traps are included in the ambipolar semiconductors and are chosen on the basis of energetic preferences for holes or electrons and the relative positions of the molecular orbital energies of host polymer and the dopants. In one embodiment, a composition of matter useful as a current transport region in an organic semiconductor device comprises a semiconducting polymer; and means for accepting holes (e.g., a hole trapping compound) injected into the current transport region so as to impede conduction of the holes in the semiconducting polymer. This simple solution-processable method can improve the on and off current ratios (ION/IOFF) of OFETs by up to three orders of magnitude. Moreover, the treatment yields tailored blends that can be used to fabricate complementary inverters with excellent gain and low-power characteristics.

Abstract: Conjugated donor-acceptor copolymers comprising a donor and an acceptor, wherein the acceptor comprises a fluorophenylene. Organic Field Effect Transistors (OFETs) comprising the conjugated donor-acceptor copolymers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers, for example one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nanostructured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.

Abstract: The present disclosure demonstrates that the introduction of electron deficient fullerene acceptors into thin films comprised of the high-mobility semiconducting polymers suppresses an undesirable “double-slope” in the current-voltage characteristics, improves operational stability, and changes ambipolar transport to unipolar transport. Examination of a variety of high ? polymers shows general applicability. The present disclosure also shows that instability is further reduced by tuning the relative electron affinity of the polymer and fullerene by creating blends containing different fullerene derivatives and semiconductor polymers. One can obtain hole ? values up to 5.6 cm2 V?1 s?1 that are remarkably stable over multiple bias-sweeping cycles. The results provide a simple, solution-processable route to dictate transport properties and improve semiconductor performance in systems that display similar non-idealities.

Abstract: Light harvesting luminescent multichromophores that are configured upon excitation to transfer energy to, and amplify the emission from, an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith are provided. Also provided are compositions for labelling a target. The labelling composition may include a donor light harvesting multichromophore and an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity to the donor light harvesting multichromophore. Also provided is an aqueous composition for labelling a target, including: a donor light harvesting multichromophore; an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith; and a sensor biomolecule. Methods for using the subject compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Four conjugated copolymers with a donor/acceptor architecture comprising 4,4-dihexadecyl-4H-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b?]dithiophene as the donor structural unit and benzo[2,1,3]thiodiazole fragments with varying degrees of fluorination have been synthesized and characterized. It has been shown that the HOMO levels were decreased after the fluorine substitution. The field-effect charge carrier mobility was similar for all polymers with less than an order of magnitude difference between different acceptor units.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention report here a comparative study of field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated with semiconducting polymer PBT, regioregular semiconducting polymers, PCDTPT and their fluorinated analogue (P2F, PCDTFBT), in the transistor channel. The present invention shows that simple fluorination of PBT and PCDTPT to PCDTFBT leads to air-stability and reliable transistor characteristics. The FETs fabricated from aligned PCDTFBT yielded stable threshold voltages (at zero volt) and a narrow distribution of saturation hole mobilities of 65 cm2 V?1 s?1 (average over 50 independent FET devices). At higher source-drain voltage (higher electric field in the channel) the mobility approaches 100 cm2 V?1 s?1, the highest value for semiconducting polymers reported to date. High mobility is retained over 150 hours in ambient air without any encapsulation layers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composition of matter, including fabricating one or more conjugated polyelectrolytes each comprising a donor-acceptor copolymer backbone and one or more anionic side groups, wherein the one or more conjugated polyelectrolytes are self doped. The doped conjugated polyelectrolytes can be used in a hole transport layer in a solar cell.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a doped composite including combining one or more carbon nanotubes with one or more Conjugated Polyelectrolytes (CPEs) to form a composite, wherein charge transfers between one or more of the CPEs and one or more of the carbon nanotubes, and the CPEs and/or a relative content of the carbon nanotubes in the composite are selected to obtain the composite that is n-type or p-type doped.

Abstract: Conjugated polymer-based organic field-effect transistors have garnered attention since the solution processability of the semiconductor material raises the possibility of lower device fabrication costs, and considerable progress has been made on achieving high mobility systems. Further improvements in charge carrier mobility while using non-specialized deposition techniques and minimizing the volume of semiconductor used in the fabrication process are important considerations for practical implementation. Here, a method of fabricating devices is disclosed that uses a technique (for example, a scalable blade-coating technique) to cast polymer thin film devices from blend solutions with one component being the polymer semiconductor and the other being a commodity polymer. Even when mixing the semiconducting polymer with 90% polystyrene by weight, an average mobility of 2.7±0.4 cm2V?1s?1 can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers include, for example, one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nano structured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.

Abstract: Light harvesting luminescent multichromophores that are configured upon excitation to transfer energy to, and amplify the emission from, an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith are provided. Also provided are compositions for labelling a target. The labelling composition may include a donor light harvesting multichromophore and an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity to the donor light harvesting multichromophore. Also provided is an aqueous composition for labelling a target, including: a donor light harvesting multichromophore; an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith; and a sensor biomolecule. Methods for using the subject compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a target polynucleotide are provided. A sample suspected of containing the target polynucleotide is contacted with a polycationic multichromophore and a sensor PNA complementary to the target polynucleotide. The sensor PNA comprises a signaling chromophore to absorb energy from the excited multichromophore and emit light in the presence of the target polynucleotide. The methods can be used in multiplex form. Kits comprising reagents for performing such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of regioselectively preparing a pyridine-containing compound is provided. In particular embodiments, the method includes reacting halogen-functionalized pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole with organotin-functionalized cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b?]dithiophene or organotin-functionalized indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b?]dithiophene. Also provided is a method of preparing a polymer. The method includes regioselectively preparing a monomer that includes a pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole unit; and reacting the monomer to produce a polymer that includes a regioregular conjugated backbone section, wherein the section includes a repeat unit containing the pyridal[2,1,3]thiadiazole unit. A polymer that includes a regioregular conjugated backbone section, and electronic devices that include the polymer, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving conformationally flexible conjugated polymers are provided. A structure is provided comprising the conformationally flexible conjugated polymer bound to or associated with at least one member of a binding pair comprising a sensor molecule and a target molecule or the complex they form. The conformationally flexible conjugated polymer comprises at least one angled linker having bonds to its two adjacent polymeric units which form an angle of less than about 155° with respect to one another. Methods of use of such structures and solutions comprising them are also provided.

Abstract: Light harvesting luminescent multichromophores that are configured upon excitation to transfer energy to, and amplify the emission from, an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith are provided. Also provided are compositions for labelling a target. The labelling composition may include a donor light harvesting multichromophore and an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity to the donor light harvesting multichromophore. Also provided is an aqueous composition for labelling a target, including: a donor light harvesting multichromophore; an acceptor signaling chromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith; and a sensor biomolecule. Methods for using the subject compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers include, for example, one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nano structured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a target polynucleotide are provided. A sample suspected of containing the target polynucleotide is contacted with a polycationic multichromophore and a sensor polynucleotide complementary to the target polynucleotide. The sensor polynucleotide comprises a signaling chromophore to receive energy from the excited multichromophore and increase emission in the presence of the target polynucleotide. The methods can be used in multiplex form. Kits comprising reagents for performing such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving soluble conjugated polymers are provided. The conjugated polymers have a sufficient density of polar substituents to render them soluble in a polar medium, for example water and/or methanol. The conjugated polymer may desirably comprise monomers which alter its conductivity properties. In some embodiments, the inventors have provided cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs) comprising both solubilizing groups and conductive groups, resulting in conductive conjugated polymers soluble in polar media. The different solubility properties of these polymers allow their deposition in solution in multilayer formats with other conjugated polymers. Also provided are articles of manufacture comprising multiple layers of conjugated polymers having differing solubility characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are described further herein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to improve the performance of single-component polymer FETs is provided comprising processing a conjugated polymer in the presence of a processing additive. Also provided is a FET device fabricated with a processing additive. Such devices have increased saturation hole and/or electron mobility compared to a control FETs.