Polymer semiconductors composed of a carbon-based π conjugated backbone have been studied for several decades as active layers of multifarious organic electronic devices. They combine the advantages of the electrical conductivity of metals and semiconductors and the mechanical behavior of plastics, which are going to become one of the futures of modulable electronic materials. The performance of conjugated materials depends both on their chemical structures and the multilevel microstructures in solid states. Despite the great efforts that have been made, they are still far from producing a clear picture among intrinsic molecular structures, microstructures, and device performances. This review summarizes the development of polymer semiconductors in recent decades from the aspects of material design and the related synthetic strategies, multilevel microstructures, processing technologies, and functional applications. The multilevel microstructures of polymer semiconductors are especially emphasized, which plays a decisive role in determining the device performance. The discussion shows the panorama of polymer semiconductors research and sets up a bridge across chemical structures, microstructures, and finally devices performances. Finally, this review discusses the grand challenges and future opportunities for the research and development of polymer semiconductors.

中文翻译：

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聚合物半导体：合成、加工和应用

由碳基π共轭主链组成的聚合物半导体作为多种​​有机电子器件的活性层已经被研究了几十年。它们结合了金属和半导体的导电性以及塑料的机械性能的优点，将成为可调制电子材料的未来之一。共轭材料的性能取决于其化学结构和固态的多级微观结构。尽管已经付出了巨大的努力，但他们仍然远未产生内在分子结构、微观结构和器件性能之间的清晰图像。本文从材料设计和相关合成策略方面总结了近几十年来聚合物半导体的发展，多级微观结构、加工技术和功能应用。特别强调聚合物半导体的多级微观结构，它对器件性能起着决定性作用。讨论展示了聚合物半导体研究的全景，并在化学结构、微观结构和最终器件性能之间架起了一座桥梁。最后，本文讨论了聚合物半导体研发面临的巨大挑战和未来机遇。讨论展示了聚合物半导体研究的全景，并在化学结构、微观结构和最终器件性能之间架起了一座桥梁。最后，本文讨论了聚合物半导体研发面临的巨大挑战和未来机遇。讨论展示了聚合物半导体研究的全景，并在化学结构、微观结构和最终器件性能之间架起了一座桥梁。最后，本文讨论了聚合物半导体研发面临的巨大挑战和未来机遇。