Control of chiral ordering in aggregated poly[3-(S)-[2-methylbutyl]thiophene] by a doping-dedoping process

The chiral ordering in aggregated poly(3-alkylthiophene) can be controlled by a metal salt-dependent doping-dedoping process. Enhancement or reduction in the chiral anisotropy factor depends on the doping level, such that doping driven by polymer-metal salt interactions, and dedoping driven by aggregate formation must be balanced in order to achieve maximal chiral ordering. This phenomenon provides a new basis to control chiral arrangement in conjugated polymer aggregates, relying solely on doping, and thus avoiding tedious modification of side-chain or main-chain structures.