Novel highly soluble 3,3′-bicarbazolyl based polymers for optoelectronics

Novel family of highly soluble polymers containing 3.3′-bicarbazolyl moieties is reported. Utilizing simple and efficient chemical oxidation of carbazole and its derivatives by iron trichloride exclusively and quantitatively yields the bicarbazolyl dimmers with reactive oxirane groups. The polymers were prepared in polyaddition reaction of bicarbazolyl-containing diepoxydes with 4,4′-thiobisbenzenethiol, 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, or 1,3-benzenedithiol in the presence of catalyst triethylamine. Obtained compounds were characterized using GPC, DSC, IR, UV, fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The hole drift mobility reaches 10⁻⁴ cm²/Vs at high electric fields. Such processable polymers with conjugated-nonconjugated repeating units in the main chain and good charge carrier mobility are quite promising for fabrication of optoelectronic devices.     

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Ferrocene Containing Monomer and Polymer

Summary. Synthesis of a new monomer and polymer containing both ferrocene and hydrazone moieties are reported. The obtained materials were examined by various techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, UV, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and time of flight method. These materials may be of particular interest for the development of future electrophotographic photoreceptors as electron photoemission spectra of the layers showed ionization potentials of 5.35–5.41 eV. The hole drift mobility values in compositions of the designed structures with bisphenol Z polycarbonate exceeded 10⁻⁸ cm²/Vs at strong electric fields.     

Thiophene-based glass-forming hole-transporting hydrazones

The synthesis, optical, thermal, and photoelectrical properties of new thiophene-based hydrazones are reported. The ionization potentials of the films of thiophene-based hydrazones, measured by the electron photoemission technique, range from 4.99 to 5.58 eV. Hole-drift mobilities in the solid solutions in bisphenol-Z polycarbonate (PC-Z) of the synthesized hydrazones were studied by time of flight technique. Room temperature charge mobilities in the solid solution of 5,2″-diformyl-2,2′:5′,5″-terthiophene di(N,N-diphenylhydrazone) in PC-Z exceeded 10⁻⁵ cm²/Vs at high applied electric fields. Correspondence: Juozas Vidas Grazulevicius, Department of Organic Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu pl. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania.     

Advanced polymers for electrooptics

Polymers have been in use for a long time as passive materials for components in electronics and electrooptics. They combine the possibility of easy processing with an infinite potential of functionalization. They can be conductors or semiconductors, ferroelectrics and can exhibit interesting properties such as photoconductivity, piezo, pyroelectricity or nonlinear optical properties. As a consequence they are now used for merging active components in the field of electrooptics such as displays, sensors or modulators for optical signal treatment. This paper describes the properties and applications of some recent polymers in the field of electroptics. In the first part of this paper the properties of amorphous copolymers with a pending group with large hyperpolarizability are described. These amorphous copolymers show high optical nonlinear coefficients after poling under an electric field. We have used these copolymers for the manufacture of an electrooptic modulator working at 1.3 μm at a frequency of 1 GHz. The second part deals with ferroelectric polymers and their pyroelectric properties. The realization and performance of an IR pyroelectric sensor using copolymers of polyvinylidene fluoride–ethylene trifluride are described. Some new results concerning polymersdispersed liquid crystals are also described.     

Single-chain and monolayered conjugated polymers for molecular electronics

Exploring the charge transport properties and electronic functions of molecules is of primary interest in the area of molecular electronics. Conjugated polymers (CPs) represent an attractive class of molecular candidates, benefiting from their outstanding optoelectronic properties. However, they have been less studied compared with the small-molecule family, mainly due to the difficulties in incorporating CPs into molecular junctions. In this review, we present a summary on how to fabricate CP-based singlechain and monolayered junctions, then discuss the transport behaviors of CPs in different junction architectures and finally introduce the potential applications of CPs in molecular-scale electronic devices. Although the research on CP-based molecular electronics is still at the initial stage, it is widely accepted that (1) CP chains are able to mediate long-range charge transport if their molecular electronic structures are properly designed, which makes them potential molecular wires, and (2) the intrinsic optoelectronic properties of CPs and the possibility of incorporating desirable functionalities by synthetic strategies imply the potential of employing tailor-made polymeric components as alternatives to small molecules for future molecular-scale electronics.     

The charge carrier mobility’s activation energies and pre-factor dependence on dopant concentration in molecularly doped polymers

The elucidation of the charge transport mechanism in molecularly doped polymers MDP has been confused by disagreement on the role of disorder, which has led to disagreement on how to analyze the experimental mobility data. Plotting the mobility vs. T⁻¹ or T⁻² where T is temperature gives an Arrhenius activation energy or disorder energy respectively, which cannot be compared. A methodology is suggested to convert disorder energies into activation energies. This allows a compilation of a list of the activation energies of all MDP’s which have been characterized as a function of dopant concentration and a correlation of the activation energies with material properties.     

Easily functionalizable carbazole based building blocks with extended conjugated systems for optoelectronic applications

Carbazole based building blocks, possessing diphenylethenyl fragments, have been synthesized. Condensation of the carbazol-2-ol with diphenylacetaldehyde yields 1,3-substituted derivatives. Change of the synthesis sequence, however, (i.e., substitution at the hydroxyl and NH groups, followed by the condensation reaction) results in the 3,6-substituted products. Thermal, optical, electrochemical and photophysical properties of the synthesized derivatives have been investigated. Room temperature hole-drift mobilities, evaluated using xerographic time-of-flight technique, were found to exceed 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at strong electric fields. The obtained results indicate high charge mobility for molecularly doped polymers, especially considering the fact that these measurements were carried out under ambient conditions and not in high vacuum. Commercial availability and relative cheapness of the starting materials, simple synthetic method, number of sites available for easy functionalization and covalent linking to other molecules makes these precursors attractive building blocks for the construction of more complex low-molecular-weight or polymeric materials for optoelectronic applications.     

Improving the Wang-Landau algorithm for polymers and proteins

The 1/t Wang-Landau algorithm is tested on simple models of polymers and proteins. It is found that this method resolves the problem of the saturation of the error present in the original algorithm for lattice polymers. However, for lattice proteins, which have a rough energy landscape with an unknown energy minimum, it is found that the density of states does not converge in all runs. A new variant of the Wang-Landau algorithm that appears to solve this problem is described and tested. In the new variant, the optimum modification factor is calculated in the same straightforward way throughout the simulation. There is only one free parameter for which a value of unity appears to give near optimal convergence for all run lengths for lattice homopolymers when pull moves are used. For lattice proteins, a much smaller value of the parameter is needed to ensure rapid convergence of the density of states for energies discovered late in the simulation, which unfortunately results in poor convergence early on in the run.     

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots and polymers

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots(CDs) and polymers have emerged as new materials with integrated properties of individual components,leading to their important applications in the field of soft nanomaterials.This perspective highlights recent advances in the development of nanocomposite hydrogels from CDs and polymers.We review the preparation methods of nanocomposite hydrogels based on CDs and polymers,and emerging applications of these nanocomposite hydrogels such as environmental ...     

Fourier representation method for electronic structures of linear polymers

The Fourier representation method described in the previous paper of this series is used to make electronic structure calculations for a linear chain of equally spaced hydrogen atoms. The electronic wavefunction is assumed to be a determinant of doubly-occupied crystal orbitals of modulated-plane-wave type, built from one 1s Slater-type orbital of screening parameter ζ centered on each atom. The energy is calculated from the electrostatic zero-order Hamiltonian with exact evaluation of all Coulomb and exchange contributions, and is optimized with respect to the lattice spacing and ζ value. Good agreement with work by others is noted, indicating a near-equivalence of modulated-plane-wave and tight-binding wavefunctions for this half-filled-valence-band system. The linear chain is calculated to be far more stable than cubic three-dimensional hydrogen crystals. This fact sheds light on the unusually large calculated nearest-neighbor distances in the cubic crystals, and is related to a suggestion that under certain conditions the most stable structure for solid atomic hydrogen may be of lower symmetry than cubic. The previous paper of this series: Harris, F. E.: J. Chem. Phys.56, 4422 (1972) [1]. Chargé de Recherches du F.N.R.S. (Fonds National Belge de la Recherche Scientifique).     

Morin hydrate as pro-ecological antioxidant and pigment for polyolefin polymers

In our studies, we propose the use of natural, pro-ecological substances, such as flavonoids to protect elastomers against ageing. One of these substances, namely morin hydrate, was incorporated into ethylene–octene rubbers (Engage); then the vulcanisates of Engage containing the antioxidant under investigation were subjected to ageing processes. The changes in deformation energy, colour and cross-linking density and OIT index of the vulcanisates of Engage were measured before and after each ageing process. The test results obtained show that morin hydrate has a very positive influence on the stability of the vulcanisates of Engage, protecting them against the negative effects of ageing. In addition to its anti-oxidative function, morin hydrate changes the colour of the final polymeric product, fulfilling the role of a natural pigment. Thus, morin hydrate is not only a natural antioxidant but also a pigment in the polymers, imparting to them the features of pro-ecological materials.     

Ethynyl-linked perylene bisimide based electron acceptors for non-fullerene organic solar cells

Star-shaped electron acceptors based on perylene bisimide as end groups and spiro-aromatic core linked with ethynyl units were developed for nonfullerene solar cells. Ethynyl linkers are able to improve the planarity of conjugated backbone, resulting in enhanced electron mobility and power conversion efficiency in solar cells.     

Silica Chloride/Wet SiO2 as a Novel Heterogeneous System for Deprotection of Oximes,Hydrazones, and Semicarbazones

Abstract

Oximes, hydrazones, and semicarbazones can be converted to their corresponding carbonyl compounds in good to high yields by a combination of silica chloride and wet SiO₂.     

Plastic deformation kinetics for glassy polymers and blends

Measurements of the plastic deformation kinetics for several glassy (PS, PC, PI-polyimide, PET, epoxy-amine network), semi crystalline polymers (PBT, PET) and blends (ABS, PC:ABS, PC: PBT) were performed for the unidirectional compression loading conditions by using constant temperature deformation calorimetry. The experiments have permitted us to follow the changes of the mechanical work (A), the heat of deformation (Q) and differences between these quantities, i.e., internal energy (U) stored in samples during their loading and unloading. Experiments have shown that the large portion (45–85%) of the mechanical work of deformation (A) is converted to heat (Q). The rest ofA is converted to internal energy (U) stored in deformed samples. U is quite high as compared with metals [1,2]. After complete unloading of plastically deformed samples, i.e., samples carrying irreversible atT _def plastic deformation ( _irr ), some amount (U) of stored energy disappeared. The amount of (U and (U) are different for different polymers. All data are analyzed in the framework of the model proposed in [3,4]. The experiments support the deformation model where the plasticity of glassy polymers is the process of nucleation and development of so-called PDs-plastic local shear defects of nonconformational and nondilatational nature.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. Pechhold on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

New polymers for catalytic carbene transfer: electropolymerization of tetrafluorenylporphyrinruthenium carbon monoxide

Condensation of pyrrole with 2-fluorenecarboxaldehyde yields meso-tetrafluorenylporphyrin as a new building block. After ruthenium insertion, oxidative electropolymerization of tetrafluorenylporphyrinruthenium (II) carbonyl complexes can be used to coat Pt electrodes with polymeric films. These insoluble polymeric materials are able to catalyze the heterogeneous cyclopropanations and 2,3 sigmatropic rearrangements with ethyl diazoacetate after being removed from the electrode.     

Computational investigation of tuning the electronic ability and featured for heterofullerene based dye sensitized solar cells

The structural characteristics of the heteroatom substituted fullerene to improve its physical and chemical properties are discussed in this work, highlighting possible applications in aromaticity, photocatalysis, solar cells, and superconducting materials. The energy gap of doped fullerene lowers significantly, making C₃₁Nb a more reactive material and transforming it into an efficient superconductor. The molecular structure, energy and relative stabilities of the heterofullerene were examined and evaluated to determine the material's identification. According to the results analysis, the extra niobium atom and substituted carbon atom improve the electronic stability of heterofullerene. Using ¹³C NMR nuclear independent chemical shift, the stability of each fullerene and aromatic found in nature is discovered. Furthermore, the simulated infrared spectra of fullerene are reviewed, and the major distinctive peaks are given to different functional groups. NBO study which shows the intermolecular charge transfer from the donor to the acceptor in doped fullerene, demonstrates that the strong intermolecular contact between carbon and niobium atoms makes this material a notable material for NLO property.     

Novel n-channel organic semiconductor based on pyrene-phenazine fused monoimide and bisimides

Large-conjugated pyrene-phenazine monoimide and bisimides were synthesized. Their self-assembly behavior, electric properties, and colorimetric acid sensing performance were investigated.     

Modified split column technique for the experimental determination of thermal conductivity of polymers

The continuous increase in the utilization of polymeric materials in many specific applications has demanded detailed knowledge of their physical properties, both during their processing as raw material, as well as in the overall range of the working temperature of the final polymer product. Nowadays, mathematical modeling has become an established tool for improving process control and product quality in polymer processing. As models become more sophisticated, there is an increasing need for reliable thermo-physical properties data. In this work, a very simple and low cost arrangement, a variation of the well-known split column method, is employed in the experimental determination of the thermal conductivity of some selected polymers. Rectangular parallelepiped shaped samples, (200 × 100 × 20) mm were prepared by cutting such pieces from long commercial plates or through an extrusion process starting from the powder or pellets of the solid polymer. Experimental results show a solid consistence when they are checked against results obtained by other techniques.     

Bromine determination in polymers by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and its potential for fast first screening of brominated flame retardants in polymers and paintings

The impact of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) on the environment and their potential risk in animal and human health is a present concern. Therefore, existing legislation in the European Union demands that polymers with BFRs are identified and eliminated from the recycling process due to their potential health hazard.In this work, a flow-injection (FI) system coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was optimized for the detection of traces of bromine in polymers, plastic paints and enamels containing BFRs. Sample preparation requires a microwave-assisted digestion in order to transfer bromine in polymeric samples to solution. After appropriate optimization of the digestion procedure and the ICP-MS detection, a detection limit (DL) of 4.2 mg kg⁻¹ was obtained for synthesized polyurethane standards containing known concentrations of bromine. The precision of the proposed method, evaluated as the R.S.D. of signals obtained for three replicates of polymeric standard BFRs at the normative EU level, was as low as 3.6%.This simple developed methodology was characterized for the screening of bromine in polymeric matrices. The proposed system provides rapid binary yes/no overall responses, being appropriate for the screening of bromine above a pre-set concentration threshold. The unreliability region (UR), given by the probability of false positives and false negatives (set at 5% in both cases), was in the range between 442 and 678 mg kg⁻¹ of bromine (at a cut-off level of 0.1% in BFRs by weight of homogeneous material fixed by the EU normative). Finally, the applicability of the proposed screening system was tested for the reliable control of bromine in different commercial samples including flame-retardant paints and enamels.     

Synthesis and characterization of phenol‐based biaryl proton conducting polymers

Biaryl hydroxy polymers with orthogonal disposition of proton transporting ? OH moieties have been synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization. The polymers are characterized for their thermal stability and proton conductivity, and the results are compared with the corresponding styrenic hydroxy polymers. The orthogonal disposition of ? OH moieties in biaryl polymers does result in lower E_a for proton transport. However, the lower E_a values in biaryl polymers did not translate into a net increase in proton conductivity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012