Conducting Polymers in Optoelectronic Devices: From Molecular Design to Device Applications

Conducting polymers have emerged as a pivotal class of materials for advanced optoelectronic applications owing to their tunable molecular structure, processability, and mechanical flexibility. Their integration into devices such as transistors, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, batteries, supercapacitors, and sensors has enabled the development of flexible, sustainable, and bio-interfaced electronic platforms. Recent progress in molecular design, polymer synthesis, and thin-film engineering has enhanced control over charge transport, mixed ion–electron conduction, and interfacial phenomena. Concurrently, advancements in spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization techniques, coupled with improvements in device architecture, have strengthened the understanding of structure–property–performance relationships. Alongside these experimental developments, theoretical modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning methodologies are accelerating the rational design and optimization of high-performance materials. This special issue invites high-quality contributions from both experimental and computational domains, encompassing synthesis, characterization, modeling, and device-level investigations of conducting polymers.

The field of conducting polymers stands at a transformative juncture, with the potential to redefine the landscape of optoelectronic technologies. Yet, persistent challenges, such as achieving long-term operational stability, controlling mixed ion-electron transport, and linking molecular structure/properties to macroscopic performance, continue to limit their full potential. This Research Topic aims to inspire innovative solutions that move beyond incremental advances toward a coherent understanding of design, synthesis, and function. Experimental efforts focusing on novel polymer architectures, advanced processing routes, and real-time characterization are essential to reveal new structure–property paradigms. Parallel developments in theoretical modeling, multiscale simulations, and machine learning can accelerate the prediction and optimization of materials with desired functionalities. By fostering collaboration across these complementary domains, this collection envisions the creation of next-generation conducting polymer-based systems that enable flexible, sustainable, and intelligent devices for emerging applications in energy, health, and bioelectronics.

This Research Topic invites high-quality contributions that advance both the fundamental understanding and practical applications of conducting polymers in several optoelectronic devices, including, transistors, batteries, and supercapacitors. We welcome submissions covering experimental studies, including polymer synthesis, thin-film processing, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and device fabrication, as well as computational and theoretical investigations, such as quantum mechanical calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning-assisted materials design and property prediction. Topics of interest also include mixed ion–electron conduction, charge and ion transport mechanisms, structure–property relationships, hybrid and composite interfaces, flexible and wearable electronics, and device stability and degradation. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are encouraged, particularly studies that bridge molecular-level insights and device-level performance, offering innovative solutions to current challenges and inspiring the development of next-generation, high-performance conducting polymer-based systems.