We
present a new class of solubilizing groups for conjugated polymers
that enable solution processing of multilayer devices. Conjugated
polymers in organic devices are sometimes difficult to process, because
of their limited solubility. Well-soluble polymers decorated with
alkyl side chains, however, introduce new challenges for thin-film
deposition. Using the same solvent for multiple layers can dissolve
the already applied layers. In this work, we introduce a new class
of thermo-labile groups, which reduce the solubility of conjugated
polymers after thermal treatment. Following a very modular approach,
we can tune the temperature of the thermo-cleavage between 140 °C
and 200 °C. This enables the fabrication of organic solar cells
and field-effect transistors (FETs) with robust, solvent-resistant
active layers
