Defect-mediated curvature and twisting in polymer crystals

Abstract

Crystalline polymer solids almost inevitably exhibit defects due to chain ends, chain folding and the limited molecular mobility. The defects result in local (dislocations, grain boundaries) or global (bending, twisting) distortions of the molecular symmetry with pronounced implications on materials properties. Depending on the localization of the deformation, continuous molecular distortions or chain scission are expected, resulting in distinct differences for the mechanical (crack formation) and optoelectronic properties (charge transport and delocalization), which become especially important in the light of the recent extraordinary developments in molecular electronics. Further studies of defect structure and properties in polymers are expected to result in an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the microstructure and microstructural evolution during processing necessary to control and optimize the nano- and micrometerscale structure of organic materials. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.