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Electrochemically induced volume changes in organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) are particularly important for their use in dynamic microfiltration systems, biomedical machinery, and electronic devices. Although significant advances have been made to maximize the dimensional changes that can be accomplished by OMIECs, there is currently limited understanding of how changes in their molecular structures impact their underpinning fundamental processes and their performance in electronic devices. Herein, a series of ethylene glycol functionalized conjugated polymers is synthesized, and their electromechanical properties are evaluated through a combined approach of experimental measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. As demonstrated, alterations in the molecular structure of OMIECs impact numerous processes occurring during their electrochemical swelling, with sidechain length shortening decreasing the number of incorporated water molecules, reducing the generated void volumes and promoting the OMIECs to undergo different phase transitions. Ultimately, the impact of these combined molecular processes is assessed in organic electrochemical transistors, revealing that careful balancing of these phenomena is required to maximize device performance., Funding agencies: KAUSTKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology; Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) [OSR-2018-CRG/CCF-3079, OSR-2019-CRG8-4086, OSR-2018-CRG7-3749]; ERC Synergy Grant SC2 [610115]; European UnionEuropean Commission [952911, 862474]; EPSRCUK Research & Innovation (UKRI)Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) [EP/T026219/1]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Wallenberg Wood Science Center [KAW 2018.0452]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Advanced Functional Materials at Linkoping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU) [2009-00971]; TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford University

A series of glycolated polythiophenes for use in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is designed and synthesized, differing in the distribution of their ethylene glycol chains that are tethered to the conjugated backbone. While side chain redistribution does not have a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the polymers, this molecular engineering strategy strongly impacts the water uptake achieved in the polymers. By careful optimization of the water uptake in the polymer films, OECTs with unprecedented steady-state performances in terms of [mu C*] and current retentions up to 98% over 700 electrochemical switching cycles are developed., Funding Agencies|KAUSTKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) [OSR-2018-CARF/CCF-3079, OSR-2015-CRG4-2572, OSR-4106 CPF2019]; EC FP7 Project SC2 [610115]; EC H2020 [643791]; EPSRCEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) [EP/G037515/1, EP/M005143/1, EP/L016702/1]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Wallenberg Wood Science Center [KAW 2018.0452]; Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Advanced Functional Materials at Linkoping University [2009-00971]; TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford University