Conductive Polymers for Flexible and Stretchable Organic Optoelectronic Applications

Abstract

Flexible and stretchable optoelectronics including organic solar cells, electronic skins, organic electrochemical transistors, organic light-emitting diodes, and supercapacitors will play an important role in our lives in the future. Conductive electrodes with desirable mechanical properties are the key to achieving those devices with high performance. Conductive polymers (CPs) have emerged as promising elastic electrode materials for these unprecedented devices as electrodes, buffer layers, channels, or interconnectors. In this review, we first introduce the conductive mechanisms, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of CPs and the nanoconfinement effect for semiconductors. Then cutting-edge advances in optoelectronics with CPs are reviewed. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives for CPs modification and device fabrication are provided for developing these next-generation devices with flexible, wearable, and stretchable properties.