Electrical and optical properties of a novel nonconjugated conductive polymer,poly(β‐pinene)

Electrical conductivity in a novel nonconjugated conductive polymer, poly(β‐pinene), has been measured as a function of molar concentration of iodine. The conductivity increases about 10 orders of magnitude to a maximum value ?8 × 10^?3 S/cm. The molar concentration of iodine, corresponding to saturation, is ?0.85. The optical absorption measurements after light doping have shown two peaks: one at 4.0 eV and the other at 3.1 eV. The first peak is due to the radical cation, and the second due to the charge‐transfer between the double bond and the dopant. As observed in other nonconjugated conductive polymers, the second peak becomes broader and undergoes a red shift, upon higher doping. The FTIR spectroscopic studies have shown that the C?C stretching vibration at 1610 cm^?1 and the ?C? H bending vibration band at 728 cm^?1 decrease upon doping, because of decrease of double bonds. Photoluminescence studies of poly(β‐pinene) show a maximum value at 360 nm for excitation at 280 nm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3695–3698, 2005     

Organosilicon polymers with alternating σ- and π-conjugated systems

A series of organosilicon polymers containing polysilane and diethynylaryl units along the polymer backbone were synthesized and examined with respect to their optical absorptions. The results indicate that delocalization takes place through the σ–π conjugated system. Lengthening of π-conjugation leads to lower excitation energies while nearly identical UV–vis spectra are observed with increased Si–Si chain length. Introducing a thiophene unit into the π-system instead of a benzene unit leads to a bathochromic shift reflecting greater σ–π delocalization. The polymers undergo photodegradation, probably via cleavage of the Si–Si bonds, and thermal crosslinking by reaction at the C≡C triple bonds. When doped with iodine, these polymers become semiconducting with conductivity of the order of 10^?4 S cm^?1.     

Synthesis of poly(o‐phenylenediamine) nanofiber with novel structure and properties

The poly(o‐phenylenediamine) (PoPD) was synthesized from the monomer o‐phenylenediamine in various organic solvent medium viz. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) and methanol using ammonium per sulfate as a radical initiator. The structure just like polyaniline derivative with free ?NH functional groups of the synthesized polymers confirmed by various standard characterizations was explained from the proposed polymerization mechanism. All the synthesized polymers were completely soluble in common organic solvent like DMSO and DMF because of the presence of polar free ?NH functional groups in its structure. The formation of polymer nanofiber by reverse salting‐out process was confirmed, and the synthesized polymer in DMSO medium was the best polymer in terms of nano‐morphology as well as conducting properties. Interestingly, the average DC conductivity of undoped polymer film was recorded as 2.21 × 10^?6 Scm^?1 because of induced doping through self charge separation. Moreover, the conductivity of the polymer film was further increased to 1.16 × 10^?3 Scm^?1 after doping by sulfuric acid. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel pendent thiophene side‐chained benzodithiophene for polymer solar cells

In this article, pendent thiophene (2‐butyl‐5‐octylthiophene) side chain is used to modify the backbone of the polymers containing benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD). Compared with the dodecyloxy side‐chained polymer (P1), pendent thiophene‐based polymers (P2 and P3) show similar number‐average molecular weight (M_n), polydispersity index, thermal stability (T_d ～ 334–337 °C), and optical band gaps ( ) (～1.8 eV). Polymer (P2)‐based BDT with pendent thiophene and ethylhexyl‐modified TPD shows relatively low‐lying HOMO energy level (?5.52 eV) and nearly 1 V high open circuit voltage (V_OC). The polymer solar cell devices based on three copolymers show power conversion efficiencies from 2.01% to 4.13%. The hole mobility of these polymers tested by space charge limited current method range from 3.4 × 10^?4 to 9.2 × 10^?4 cm²V^?1s^?1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1558–1566     

Synthesis,hole mobility,and photovoltaic properties of two alternating poly[3‐(hex‐1‐enyl)thiophene‐co‐thiophene]s

Two alternating poly[3‐(hex‐1‐enyl)thiophene‐co‐thiophene]s, Pa (with 77% trans‐isomer and 23% cis‐isomer) and Pb (with 100% trans‐isomer), were synthesized by the coupling of 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐hex‐1‐enyl‐thiophene to 2,5‐bis(tributylstannyl)thiophene via a Stille reaction and compared with poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐co‐thiophene) ( P1 ) to study the effect of changing the carbon(α)–carbon(β) single bond into a carbon–carbon double bond on the properties of the polymers. From P1 to Pb and to Pa , the ultraviolet–visible absorption peaks of the polymers were slightly redshifted, and their electrochemical bandgaps decreased by 0.05–0.1 eV. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated that Pa had a better lamellar structure than Pb . The hole mobilities of the three polymers, determined with the space‐charge‐limited current model, were 5.23 × 10^?6 ( P1 ), 2.34 × 10^?4 ( Pb ), and 7.02 × 10^?4 cm²/V s ( Pa ). The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of polymer solar cells based on the three polymers were 0.87 ( P1 ), 1.16 ( Pb ), and 1.70% ( Pa ). The increase in the hole mobility and PCE revealed the important effect of changing the carbon(α)–carbon(β) single bond into a carbon–carbon double bond on the properties of polythiophene derivatives containing 3‐alkylthiophene. The strategy used in this work enlarges the thinking to obtain novel, efficient donor polymers for optoelectronic applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 629–638, 2007     

Conductive triethylene glycol monomethyl ether substituted polythiophenes with high stability in the doped state

Synthesis of two conducting polymers containing 3‐hexylthiophene and 3‐[2‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy]thiophene is demonstrated. In thin‐film transistors, the high‐molecular‐weight polymer shows an average mobility of 4.2 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Most importantly, the polymers have high conductivity upon doping with iodine and also have high stability in the doped state with high conductivities measured even after 1 month. Furthermore, the doping causes transparency to thin films of the polymer and the films are resistant to common organic solvents. All these properties indicate a great potential for the iodine‐doped polymer to be used as an alternative to commercially available poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 1079–1086     

Synthesis and polymerization of (E,E)-[6.2](9,10)anthracenophane-1,5-diene

The title compound has been synthesized by dimerization of a substituted p-xylylene, generated via a 1,8-Hofmann elimination. Several unique isomers of this dimer are also obtained. The title diene can be polymerized cationically to give low molecular weight polymer. Oxidative doping of this polymer with iodine forms a material with a conductivity of 3 × 10^?4 S/cm. In contrast to previously reported anthracenophanes this polymer is photochemically unreactive.     

Synthesis and electrical conductivity of polymers containing trans-1,2-bis(9-carbazolyl)cyclobutane units

Novel poly-Schiff bases (PSB's) that contain trans-1,2-bis(9-carbazolyl)cyclobutane(DCZB) units were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of trans-1,2-bis(3-formyl-9-carbazolyl)cyclobutane with aromatic diamines in n-amyl alcohol at 160°C. Complexation of these PSB's and of poly(vinyl DCZB) (PVDCZB) with iodine produced cation-radical salts which resulted form the transfer of an electron from DCZB moieties to iodine. All the undoped polymers were insulators having electrical conductivity of the order of 10^?10–10^?12 S cm^?1 depending on the structure of polymers. By doping with iodine, the electrical conductivity increased by several orders of magnitude and reached a value of 10^?3 S cm^?1 in the case of PVDCZB and 10^?5–10^?6 S cm^?1 in the case of PSB's. The electrical conductivity of doped PSB's increased with decreasing diamine length. PVDCZB having the same iodine content per carbazole unit as poly(9-vinyl-carbazole) (PVK) has a greater electrical conductivity than PVK.     

Regioregular poly[3‐(4‐alkoxyphenyl)thiophene]s

An easy synthetic procedure for soluble poly[3‐(4‐alcoxyphenyl)thiophene]s is reported. The polymers present a high regioregularity degree as determined by both UV–vis spectra and ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis. Furthermore, X‐ray powder diffraction analysis performed on films of the polymers suggests a π‐stacked packing structure of the macromolecules. Electrical characterization was performed on one of the synthesized polythiophenes on both undoped and doped (with FeCl₃ or iodine) films. The conductivity and charge‐carrier mobility were assessed by current–voltage and field effect measurements. Well‐structured polymer films were obtained simply via spin coating from chloroform solutions and without the need of further processing, unlike other regioregular polythiophenes reported in the literature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1758–1770, 2007     

Thermoelectrical and optical properties of double wall carbon nanotubes:polyaniline containing boron n‐type organic semiconductors

The electrical conductivity, thermoelectrical, and optical properties of the polyaniline containing boron/double wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites have been investigated. The electrical conductivities of the composites prepared with 1%, 5%, and 8% CNT concentrations at 300 K were found to be 5.31 × 10^?6, 2.72 × 10^?4, and 1.12 × 10^?3 (S/cm), respectively. The thermoelectrical results indicate that all the samples exhibit n‐type electrical conductivity. The optical band gaps of the samples were found to be 3.71 eV for 0% DWNT, 3.32 eV for 1% DWNT, 3.15 eV for 5% DWNT, and 3.12 eV for 8% DWNT. The obtained results suggest that the electrical conductivity of PANI‐B polymer is improved by DWNT doping. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silafluorene‐based polymers for electrochromic and polymer solar cell applications

In this study, four novel silafluorene (SiF) and benzotriazole (Btz) bearing conjugated polymers are synthesized. In the context of electrochemical and optical studies, these polymers are promising materials both for electrochromic device (ECD) and polymer solar cell (PSC) applications. All of the polymers are ambipolar (both p‐ and n‐dopable) and multichromic. Electrochemistry experiments indicate that incorporation of selenophene instead of thiophene unit increases the HOMO energy level of the polymers. Power conversion efficiency of the PSCs reached 1.75% for PTBTSiF, 1.55% for PSBSSiF, 2.57% for PBTBTSiF, and 1.82% for PBSBSSiF. The hole mobilities of the polymers are estimated through space charge limited current (SCLC) model. PBTBTSiF has the highest hole mobility as 2.44 × 10^?3 cm² V s^?1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1541–1547     

Modulation of optical and electronic properties of quinoxailine‐based conjugated polymers for organic photovoltaic cells

The synthesis of donor–acceptor type semiconducting copolymers is described. Quinoxaline (QX) or difluorinated quinoxaline (DFQX) derivatives serve as electron acceptors, while thiophene (T) or selenophene (Se) serve as electron donors. Alternating polymers are synthesized through Stille cross‐coupling, and their thermal stability, optical and electrochemical properties, field‐effect carrier mobilities, film crystallinities, and photovoltaic performances are investigated. The intramolecular charge transfer between the electron‐donating and electron‐accepting units in the backbone induces absorption from 450 to 750 nm. The optical band‐gap energies of the polymers are between 1.65 and 1.73 eV, and depend on the polymer structure. Organic photovoltaic cells fabricated using a polymer composed of DFQX and selenophene (PSe‐DFQX) exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 5.14% with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.78 V, a short‐circuit current density of 11.71 mA/cm², and fill factor of 0.57 under AM 1.5 G irradiation (100 mW cm^?2). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1904–1914     

Electrochemical synthesis of soluble sulfonated poly(3-methyl thiophene)

Electrochemical polymerization of poly(3-methyl thiophene) films (3-MTy) which are self-doped with SO₃⁻ was investigated. The sulfonated poly(3-methyl thiophene) films synthesized from the solution which contained different amounts of HSO₃F. The sulfonated polymer films were found to be soluble in DMF and KOH. The solubility values increased and the conductivity values decreased with the increase in sulfonation ratio. The resulting polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis, FT-IR, elemental analysis, dry conductivity measurements and SEM techniques.     

Polymerization of perfluoro-2-alkynenitriles by π-bis(benzene)chromium(O)

Perfluoro-2-alkynenitriles can be polymerized into soluble polymers at low temperatures by π-bis(benzene)chromium(O) in benzene/pyridine (10:1) solution. The degree of polymerization is 7.4 for perfluoro-2-butynenitrile, 6.5 for perfluoro-2-pentynenitrile, and 11 for perfluoro-2-hexynenitrile. These polymers were examined by UV and IR spectra. Their thermal stability and the electrical conductivity of nondoped polymers were also studied. The conductivities of polyperfluoro-2-butynenitrile(PPFBN) and polyperfluoro-2-pentynenitrile are found to be 4.8 × 10^?8 and 6.6 × 10^?8Ω^?1 cm^?1, respectively.     

Synthesis of Poly(benzothiadiazole‐co‐dithienobenzodithiophenes) and Effect of Thiophene Insertion for High‐Performance Polymer Solar Cells

We describe herein the synthesis of novel donor–acceptor conjugated polymers with dithienobenzodithiophenes (DTBDT) as the electron donor and 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole as the electron acceptor for high‐performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs). We studied the effects of strategically inserting thiophene into the DTBDT as a substituent on the skeletal structure on the opto‐electronic performances of fabricated devices. From UV/Vis absorption, electrochemical, and field‐effect transistor analyses, we found that the thiophene‐containing DTBDT derivative can substantially increase the orbital overlap area between adjacent conjugated chains and thus dramatically enhance charge‐carrier mobility up to 0.55 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The outstanding charge‐transport characteristics of this polymer allowed the realization of high‐performance organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.1 %. Detailed studies on the morphological factors that enable the maximum PCE of the polymer solar cells are discussed along with a hole/electron mobility analysis based on the space‐charge‐limited current model.     

Synthesis and characterization of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-containing polyazomethines and copolyazomethines

Novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole-containing polyazomethines and copolyazomethines were synthesized by the solution polycondensation, in m-cresol at 25°C, of aromatic dialdehydes, isophthalaldehyde and terephthalaldehyde, with 2,5-bis (m-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (BMAT) and with BMAT and aromatic diamines, bis (4-aminophenyl) ether and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, respectively. These polymers were tan yellow to yellow in color and had reduced viscosities up to 0.32 dL/g in concentrated sulfuric acid and electric conductivity as high as 10^?9?10^?11 S cm^?1 at 25°C. All the polymers were insoluble in common organic solvents but dissolved completely in concentrated sulfuric acid and formic acid. However, they were readily hydrolyzed in concentrated sulfuric acid. X-ray diffraction diagrams showed that the crystallinity of polyazomethines were low, but copolyazomethines were highly crystalline. These azomethine polymers are highly thermally and thermooxidativelly stable and exhibited no appreciable decomposition up to 400°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. Doping with iodine dramatically raised the conductivity and produced the dark brown- to completely black-colored semiconductive polymers with a maximum conductivity of the order of 10^?5 S cm^?1. Electronic spectra of the undoped polymers indicated a large bathochromic shift of the π?π^* absorption band (310 nm) due to C?N bonds of BMAT. This result suggests that π-electrons of the polymers are extensively delocalized along the main chain.     

Ionic conductivity of multiarm star polymer/LiClO4 electrolytes

A series of polymer electrolytes based on multiarm polymers and lithium salt complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and impedance measurement. The relationships of conductivity with salt concentration, temperature, and arm numbers are discussed. It is suggested that the star polymer has a higher solvency and ion transfer ability on lithium salts than on linear polymers. The conductivity maximum appeared at a higher salt concentration ([EO]/[Li] = 4). Impedance measurement suggested that the optimum conductivity was 2 × 10^?4 s · cm^?1. The conductivity increased with temperature and the dependence of ionic conductivity on temperature fits the Arrhenius equation. Among the studied systems, the star polymer with a five arm number performs better than other structures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 4195–4198, 2004     

Syntheses of homopolymer and water-soluble polymers containing tetraphenylporphinatomanganese(III) complex,and ligand substitution reaction for anionic ligand

A vinyl monomer containing the pendant tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) group, 4-vinyltetraphenylporphyrin (VTPP), was synthesized. A homopolymer (PVTPP) which is insoluble in water, and three water-soluble polymers were obtained by radical polymerization. The water-soluble polymers are two anionic polymers (PVPTSPP and PVTPP-StSO₃) and a cationic polymer (PVTPP-VPyM). PVPTSPP has sulfonic acid groups in a TPP group and very high charge density. PVTPP-StSO₃ was obtained by copolymerization of VTPP and sodium 4-styrenesulfonate. PVTPP-VPyM was obtained by quarternarization of a copolymer of VTPP and 4-vinylpyridine. Polymeric manganese(III) complexes (PMn-VTPP, PMnVPTSPP, PMnVTPP-StSO₃, and PMnVTPP-VPyM) were prepared from the polymers and manganese acetate. The acetate ligand in PMnVTPP can be easily substituted by another ligand such as Cl^?, AcO^?, OH^?, and SCN^?. The substitution reaction occurs in the interface between water and chloroform. The sulfonated homopolymer, PMnVPTSPP, cannot incorporate with anionic ligands because of the strong electrostatic repulsion. In the anionic copolymer, PMnVTPP-StSO₃, the ligand substitution reaction with SCN ligand needs activation energy of 53 kJ/mol. In the cationic polymer complex, PMnVTPP-VPyM, the OH ligand can be easily substituted with the SCN ligand and the equilibrium constant of the reaction was estimated at 1.38 × 10^?3. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(2-methoxyphenylene vinylene): Synthesis,electrical conductivity,and control of electronic properties

Poly(2-methoxyphenylene vinylene) has been synthesized by a four step reaction sequence beginning with the bromination of 2,5-dimethylanisole and proceeding to the formation of an intermediate sulfonium salt precursor polymer. The infrared and UV-visible spectra of the PPV derivative asymmetrically substituted on the phenyl ring are presented. Films of poly(2-methoxyphenylene vinylene) can be doped with iodine to give a conductivity of 1 S cm^?1. Films doped with AsF₅ exhibited activated charge transport behavior with room temperature conductivities of about 100 S cm^?1.     

Effect of 15-crown-5 on the charge transfer resistance at the polymer electrolyte/modified Li-electrode interface

The effect of 15-crown-5, which is applied immediately to pure and modified surface of a lithium electrode, on the charge transfer resistance at the electrode/polymer electrolyte interface is studied. The polymer electrolyte consists of a 1: 1 mixture of oligourethan dimethacrylate and polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate (20 wt %), an initiator (azobisisobutyronitrile) (2 wt %), and a 1 M LiClO₄ solution in gamma-butyrolactone (78 wt %). The conductivity of this gel electrolyte is 3 × 10^?3 S cm^?1. The temperature dependence of the impedance of the Li/gel electrolyte/Li electrochemical cells is measured for electrodes of four types. The activation energies for the charge transfer at the Li/electrolyte interface are calculated. It is found that, after treating the test lithium electrodes with 15-crown-5, the charge transfer resistance decreases, and in the case of the modified lithium surface, the activation energy for the process decreases by 1.8 times.