NEXAFS spectroscopy of conjugated polymers

This feature article provides a general introduction to Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy of conjugated polymers as well as a perspective on the information that NEXAFS spectroscopy is able to provide. While conjugated polymers are of interest for a range of applications including organic light-emitting diodes, polymer solar cells and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), this feature article will focus on the application of NEXAFS spectroscopy for revealing information about the interfacial orientation and alignment of conjugated polymer chains with respect to substrate surfaces which is of particular relevance for understanding charge transport through the thin accumulation layer in a polymer OFET. The potential for NEXAFS spectroscopy to provide experimental information about dihedral angles in donor–acceptor copolymers is also highlighted.