A team for the US Department of Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has published research showing how a precursor molecule placed on to a surface of copper crystal guided the polymerisation reaction in the production of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), or PEDOT.
The resultant polymer was highly structured, with the potential to raise efficiency in devices based around organic LEDs such as televisions and monitors, as well as in solar panels.
Scientist on the project Bobby Sumpter says: "Most attempts to synthesise polymers usually result in imperfect polymer arrays with a very different prominent structure."
The US Department of Energy's focus on nanomaterials such as PEDOT is part of its drive to create building blocks from which devices can be designed that exhibit particular desirable qualities.
For example, a product may need to be particularly lightweight, particularly strong or achieve a high rate of efficiency.
