Conducting polymers: Efficient thermoelectric materials

This review highlights the recent progress made in the area of thermoelectric (TE) applications of conducting polymers and related composites. Several examples of such materials and their TE properties are discussed. TE properties of new poly(2,7‐carbazole) derivatives are highlighted. References are also made to carbon nanotube/polymer composites and their improved electrical and TE performance. Studies on polymer/inorganic materials composites have also taken a step forward and have shown very promising TE properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Synthesis,spectral and thermal studies on pyrazolatebridged palladium(II) coordination polymers

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and thermal behavior of pyrazolate-bridged palladium complexes [Pd(μ-Pz)₂]_n (1), [Pd(μ-mPz)₂]_n (2), [Pd(μ-dmPz)₂]_n (3), [Pd(μ-IPz)₂]_n (4) {pyrazolate (Pz^–), 4-methylpyrazolate (mPz^–), 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate (dmPz^–), 4-iodopyrazolate (IPz^–)} have been described in this work. The exobidentate coordination mode of pyrazolato ligands in 1–4 was inferred on basis of IR spectroscopic evidences. TG investigations indicated that the introduction of substituents at the 4 position in the pyrazolyl moiety into coordination polymers do not affect significantly their thermal stability, whereas at the 3 and 5 position reduced the stability of the main chain. Metal palladium was the final product of the thermal decompositions, which was identified by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Azo-bridged hydroxyl-rich porous pillar[5]arene polymers for efficient carbon dioxide conversion

Two new azo-bridged hydroxyl-rich porous organic polymers (POPs), named PPDA-P5 and TB-P5, were designed and successfully fabricated via azo-coupling reaction with per-hydroxylated pillar[5]arene macrocycle as the core and p-phenylenediamine and Troger's base (TB) diamine as the linker, respectively. Owing to the abundant nitrogen and hydroxyl groups, both polymers exhibited excellent interaction affinity toward carbon dioxide (CO₂) and then were applied as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the transformation of CO₂ to cyclic carbonates with high yield, even under mild conditions. Interestingly, TB-P5 exhibited superior catalytic performance toward PPDA-P5, indicating TB's positive role as an organic base. This design strategy and results provided new insight into the development of macrocycle-based POPs in the field of heterogeneous catalysis.     

Further investigation of conjugated length and dispersity on light-driven hydrogen evolution facilitated by conjugated polymers

Conjugated length and dispersity are modulated by the incorporation of non-conjugated groups. The integration of 1,4-butanediylbis(oxy) groups into poly[(1,4-benzo{2,1,3}thiadiazole)-co-1,4-benzene] gives numerous co-polymers. The presence of the 1,4-butanediylbis(oxy) unit in the polymer backbone interrupts the conjugation length. The optical energy gap is not much affected. The variation in the hydrogen evolution rate (HER) is evident. Density-functional-theory calculations suggest that the distribution of residual Pd along the polymer chain could be influenced considerably by the introduction of 1,4-butanediylbis(oxy) group, accounting for the variation in the HER. On the other hand, a macromonomer with oligo tert-butyl acrylate side chains synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization is copolymerized with 3,7-dibromo-dibenzothiophene 5,5-dioxide to furnish a random copolymer. The ester groups in the polymer can be transformed to the acid moieties. The polymer with the acid functionality exhibits superior dispersity in the reaction solvents. Nonetheless, the difference in the hydrogen-evolution activity is marginal between the two polymers, revealing that the increase in the polymer dispersity does not essentially improve the photoactivity for this reaction. These studies reveal that a structural variation could simultaneously lead to the alternation in numerous properties. Emphasis on a particular property could be misleading in designing active photocatalysts in hydrogen evolution.     

Extrusion 3D printing of conjugated polymers

Conjugated polymers combine electronic charge transport properties with the ability to transport ions, enabling transduction between ionic and electronic currents. Many applications of conjugated polymers, such as biointerfaces, actuators, and energy storage, benefit from 3D structures. Among different methods for 3D fabrication, extrusion-based 3D printing is a versatile approach that is compatible with multimaterial fabrication processes. This review summarizes progress in the emerging field of 3D printed conjugated polymers using three extrusion printing processes: direct ink write, meniscus-guided printing, and electrohydrodynamic printing. Ink designs for direct in write are described in depth, including strategies for modifying the rheology and conductivity of the inks.     

Surface‐Grafted conjugated polymers for hybrid cellulose materials

Conjugated polymers were grafted onto cellulose substrates in an effort to create a general method for the synthesis of conjugated polymer/cellulose hybrid materials. In this report, we describe the grafting of poly(fluorene), poly(fluorenevinylene), and a poly(fluorene‐ethynylene‐phenylene) onto modified cellulose paper substrates using Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira‐type polymerizations, respectively. The application of these three widely used coupling chemistries to surface‐grafted conjugated polymers on cellulose provides a general route to cellulose‐based hybrid materials tunable with almost any aromatic repeat structure for specific applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Direct laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of conjugated polymers

Two conjugated polymers (CPs), poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PF) and poly(3-octylthiophene) (PT) were analyzed by direct laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-ToF MS). Because of their strong absorption near the wavelength of the laser (337 nm), easy and transient energy transfer properties and sufficient thermal stability, CPs can be desorbed and ionized directly without a matrix. For comparison, these two polymers were also analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-ToF MS in the positive reflectron mode. The results revealed that they are very similar in terms of quality and resolution. All results demonstrate that LDI-ToF MS is an alternative method for the mass characterization of some conjugated systems, thereby simplifying the process of sample preparation and result analysis.     

Controlling growth of aligned carbon nanotubes from porous silicon templates

Fabricating well-aligned carbon nanotubes, especially, on a silicon substrate is very important for their applications. In this paper, an aligned carbon nanotube array has been prepared by pyrolysis of hydrocarbons catalyzed by nickel nanoparticles embedded in porous silicon (PS) templates. High-magnification transmission electron microscopy images confirm that the nanotubes are well graphitized. The PS substrates with pore sizes between 10 and 100 nm play a control role on the growth of carbon nanotubes and the diameters of the tubes increase with the enlargement of the pores of the substrates. However, such a control role cannot be found in the macro-PS substrates.     

Synthesis,characterization, and preceramic properties of π‐conjugated polymers based on Ni(II) complexes of goedken's macrocycle

Nickel(II) complexes of Goedken's macrocycle bearing alkyne substituents were copolymerized with 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9‐dihexylfluorene, 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐hexylthiophene, and 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐bis(hexyloxy)benzene via microwave‐induced Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions to produce copolymers 6F , 6T , and 6B . The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the copolymers were examined and compared to model compounds. Specifically, each polymer exhibited a nickel‐based absorption centered at about 589 nm and two π → π* transitions between 272 and 387 nm. While the copolymers did not exhibit extended π conjugation, the nature of the organic spacer did affect the high energy transitions. Furthermore, each copolymer underwent two ligand‐based one‐electron oxidations at potentials of about 0.24 V and about 0.75 V relative to the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple. Postpolymerization functionalization of the alkyne group in 6F with Co₂(CO)₈ afforded a novel heterobimetallic copolymer that yielded amorphous nanomaterials containing Ni/Co when pyrolyzed at 800 °C for 3 h under an atmosphere of N₂/H₂ (95:5). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3257–3266     

Synthesis and characterization of electrophosphorescent jacketed conjugated polymers

A monomer containing bent side chains with oxadiazole unit was synthesized. And it was copolymerized with polyfluorene at different ratios. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the copolymers were characterized. The results show that the introduction of the oxidiazole‐containing side chains into the polymer reduces the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level. And the steric hindrance of the side groups can effectively suppress the aggregation of the polymer backbones. Electroluminescent devices were fabricated with a configuration of indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT):PSS/Sample/Ca/Al. All of the devices emit blue light. The device of the copolymer PFOXD50 shows the best performance with the maximum luminance of 1033 cd/m² and the maximum current efficiency of 0.29 cd/A. Then a cyclometalated iridium complex monomer (ppy)₂Ir(BrPhPyBr) was copolymerized with PFOXD50 at different ratios. The devices with the same configuration emit orange light. The efficiency generally increases with the increasing Ir content. Among them, the device of the copolymer PFOXDIr7 shows the best performance with the maximum luminance of 846 cd/m² and the maximum current efficiency of 0.61 cd/A. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

胺基功能化咔唑共轭聚合物的合成及其光电性能研究

发展了新型含有胺基的支化烷基修饰的咔唑单元,并且与芴、咔唑、苯等单元通过Suzuki偶联反应共聚得到不同主链结构的水/醇溶共轭聚合物界面修饰材料,研究了主链结构的变化对材料光物理、电化学性能的影响.所有聚合物均被用作阴极界面材料应用于器件结构为ITO/PEDOT：PSS/P-PPV/界面层/Al的聚合物发光二极管中.在相同器件制备条件下,系统比较了不同主链结构的界面修饰材料在器件中的性能,并研究了性能差异的原因.器件研究结果表明,在高功函数金属Al阴极的聚合物发光二极管中,含胺基功能化咔唑单元的水/醇溶共轭聚合物材料由于界面偶极的形成,均表现出很好的电子注入/传输性能,与之对应的器件性能得到大幅提升.     

Thermocatalytic removal of carbonaceous materials

Decomposition and removal of carbonizate was performed over platinum catalysts supported on two types of alumina differing in the surface area: low surface area one (LSA) and high surface one (HSA). For the sake of comparison, the performance of platinum catalyst supported on silica and bimetallic platinum-rhenium catalysts was analyzed. It has been shown that all platinum catalysts examined caused an increase in the removal of carbonizate. The activity of these catalysts was independent of the kind of support applied or addition of rhenium as a second component. The online version of the original article can be found at     

Light‐driven atom transfer radical polymerization on supramolecular complexes of conjugated polymers and single‐walled carbon nanotubes

Previous approaches used to decorate latently reactive conjugated polymer‐coated carbon nanotube complexes have utilized “grafting‐to” strategies. Here, we coat the carbon nanotube surface with a conjugated polymer whose side chains contain the radical initiator, α‐bromoisobutyrate, which enables atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from the polymer–nanotube surface. Using light to generate Cu(I) in situ, ATRP is used to grow narrow dispersity polymer chains from the polymer–nanotube surface. We confirm the successful polymerization of (meth)acrylates from the polymer–nanotube surface using a combination of gel permeation chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. Strikingly, we demonstrate that nanotube optoelectronic properties are preserved after radical‐mediated polymer grafting using Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence mapping. Overall, this work elucidates a method to grow narrow dispersity polymer chains from the polymer–nanotube surface using light‐driven radical chemistry, with concurrent preservation of nanotube optoelectronic properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2015–2020     

The effect of photocrosslinkable groups on thermal stability of bulk heterojunction solar cells based on donor–acceptor‐conjugated polymers

Three different types of photocrosslinkable groups into a low band‐gap donor–acceptor‐conjugated polymer, namely poly{benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐alt‐ thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene} (PBT), were developed to comparatively investigate the effect of the photocrosslinkable groups on the thermal stability of bulk heterojunction solar cells. Compared with vinyl groups, bromine‐ and azide‐ photocrosslinkable groups are more prompt for photocrosslinking to yield a denser crosslinking network, probably due to the different crosslinking mechanisms and reaction rates. In contrast to the reference device decreasing to less than 10% of its initial efficiency value after 80 h of annealing at 150 °C, a great improvement in the thermal stability of performance of all these crosslinked functional copolymers devices demonstrates that photocrosslinking can effectively improve the thermal stability of the active layer by suppressing [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl diffusion and phase separation. Furthermore, the solar cells with crosslinked bromine‐ and azide‐functionalized PBT polymers showed very thermally stable photovoltaic device performance by retaining 78 and 66% of their initial device efficiency, respectively, whereas vinyl‐functionalized PBT devices retained only 51% of its initial value after long‐time thermal annealing. This suggests that an appropriate crosslinking network with homogenous active morphology could dramatically enhance the device stability without sacrificing the performance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4156–4166     

超临界水中煤基多孔炭孔隙形成过程的研究

在半连续超临界水反应器(SCWR)中考察了不同温度、反应时间下昭通褐煤的转化特性,结合半焦有机官能团及碳微晶结构分析,推测在超临界水中半焦孔隙的形成过程以及煤中矿物质的作用。结果表明,超临界水首先快速萃取出褐煤热解产物,促进了半焦石墨化,形成良好的炭素前驱体,此过程对半焦孔结构基本无作用;当温度高于550 ℃,炭素前驱体发生气化反应,产生了较多的C-O-C交联结构,比表面积明显提高,逐渐形成多孔炭材料;脱灰后的煤在升温过程中具有更高的萃取率,形成有利于微孔产生的炭素前驱体,煤中的矿物质更有利于中孔的形成。     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of mixed Gd-Nd oxalates

Several (Gd_1−xNd_x)₂[C₂O₄]₃·nH₂O samples (0≤x≤1) were prepared by a coprecipitation method: the precipitation is quantitative and all the samples are homogeneous in stoichiometry. XRD analyses have shown that a complete solid solution is formed over the whole range of compositions. The dried Gd rich oxalates have initially a low water content which gradually increases with the Nd content. All the oxalates decompose in O₂ around 700°C either into a single mixed oxide or in a mixture of oxides through several steps, which can be ascribed to the loss of water and CO₂.