Realizing Long-Range Orientational Order in Conjugated Polymers via Solventless Polymerization Strategy

Long-range orientational order in polymers, especially in conjugated polymers (CPs), is of significance in soft matter: from in-depth understanding of their intrinsic states to fabrication of high-performance CP-based devices. However, this field is under-explored due to lack of approaches to realizing such long-range order in CPs. Here a universal rule for the synthesis of highly oriented CPs is presented: in a very stable environment with controllable growth rate and size. In order to verify this rule, the growth of highly oriented PPy is realized within the semi-closed micropores of a graphene foam using a solventless polymerization method at low temperature. These findings provide directions for the construction of ordered CPs. Further explorations of the physical/chemical properties and high-performance CP-based device fabrication are anticipated.