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  1. A grand challenge in materials science is to identify the impact of molecular composition and structure across a range of length scales on macroscopic properties. We demonstrate a unified experimental–theoretical framework that coordinates experimental measurements of mesoscale structure with molecular-level physical modeling to bridge multiple scales of physical behavior. Here we apply this framework to understand charge transport in a semiconducting polymer. Spatially-resolved nanodiffraction in a transmission electron microscope is combined with a self-consistent framework of the polymer chain statistics to yield a detailed picture of the polymer microstructure ranging from the molecular to device relevant scale. Using these data as inputs for charge transport calculations, the combined multiscale approach highlights the underrepresented role of defects in existing transport models. Short-range transport is shown to be more chaotic than is often pictured, with the drift velocity accounting for a small portion of overall charge motion. Local transport is sensitive to the alignment and geometry of polymer chains. At longer length scales, large domains and gradual grain boundaries funnel charges preferentially to certain regions, creating inhomogeneous charge distributions. While alignment generally improves mobility, these funneling effects negatively impact mobility. The microstructure is modified in silico to explore possible design rules, showing chain stiffness and alignment to be beneficial while local homogeneity has no positive effect. This combined approach creates a flexible and extensible pipeline for analyzing multiscale functional properties and a general strategy for extending the accesible length scales of experimental and theoretical probes by harnessing their combined strengths.

     
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  2. Abstract

    The development of sensor electrode materials for the detection of metabolites will enable point‐of‐care diagnostic devices for the monitoring and treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Current state‐of‐the‐art glucose sensing electrodes employ the organic salt tetrathiafulvene tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF TCNQ) to receive electrons directly from enzymatic reactions of glucose. However, TTF TCNQ is insoluble in most solvents, making it challenging to deposit high‐quality electrodes. Furthermore, its hydrophobicity hinders its interface with aqueous solutions in physiological environments. To overcome these issues, TCNQ derivatives are introduced into an electron‐rich and hydrophilic conjugated polymer. Thus, a polymeric electrode is demonstrated that is easily solution processible and can undergo volumetric direct electron transfer with glucose reactions throughout its bulk. This study further elucidates the electron transfer mechanism during chemical doping and metabolite sensing reactions to inform general design rules for this new class of glucose sensing materials.

     
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    The ability to control the charge density of organic mixed ionic electronic conductors (OMIECs) via reactions with redox-active analytes has enabled applications as electrochemical redox sensors. Their charge density-dependent conductivity can additionally be tuned via charge injection from electrodes, for instance in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), where volumetric charging of the OMIEC channel enables excellent transconductance and amplification of low potentials. Recent efforts have combined the chemical detection with the transistor function of OECTs to achieve compact electrochemical sensors. However, these sensors often fall short of the expected amplification performance of OECTs. Here, we investigate the operation mechanism of various OECT architectures to deduce the design principles required to achieve reliable chemical detection and signal amplification. By utilizing a non-polarizable gate electrode and conducting the chemical reaction in a compartment separate from the OECT, the recently developed Reaction Cell OECT achieves reliable modulation of the OECT channel's charge density. This work demonstrates that systematic and rational design of OECT chemical sensors requires understanding the electrochemical processes that result in changes in the potential (charge density) of the channel, the underlying phenomenon behind amplification. 
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