Photochromic switchable pendant indolyl fulgimide polypyrrole

The photochromic switchable 2-indolyl fulgimide functionalized pyrrole monomer is synthesized and ascertained by spectroscopic techniques. The absorption and emission band of monomer due to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state exhibit typical bathochromic shift from nonpolar to polar solvents. The molecular geometry and bandgap energy of monomer in open form as well as closed form are calculated by B3LYP/6-31 G (d) with Gaussian 03 program package. The functionalized pyrrole monomer is electropolymerized by cyclicvoltammetric method on an electrode. The polymer indicated a completely reversible photoswitching between two isomers of open and closed form 2-indolyl fulgimide moiety, which are stable over many cycles of operation by UV/visible light sources. The closed form of polymer exhibit fluorescence quenching attributed to the energy transfer from conductance band of polypyrrole to closed form of 2-indolyl fulgimides unit. This fluorescence quenching system controls the conductance of conducting polymer in molecular electronics and molecular switches.     

Photochromic and fluorescence properties of coumarin fulgimides

Four new fulgimides possessing a fluorescent coumarin unit were synthesized from the corresponding fulgides, and their photochromic as well as fluorescence properties were investigated. The open-ring forms of coumarin fulgimides were found to exhibit fluorescence in the visible region. Upon exposure to UV light, the fulgimides were transformed into the nonfluorescent closed-ring forms, which can be reverted to the initial fluorescent open-ring forms on exposure to visible light. The efficiency of quenching of fluorescence was as high as 95% at the photostationary state of UV irradiation.     

A study on the polymer structures and electro-optical properties of epoxy-mercaptan-based polymer dispersed liquid crystal films

ABSTRACT

In this paper, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films based on epoxy-mercaptan system were prepared by thermal-initiated polymerization. The effects of the liquid crystal (LC) content, the proportion and the functionality of epoxy monomers on the polymer structures and electro-optical properties of the as-made PDLC films were investigated systematically. It was found that the morphologies of the polymer matrix can be altered from polymer meshes to polymer balls by increasing the LC content as well as the functionality of epoxy monomers. Accordingly, the electro-optical properties could be regulated by the morphologies of polymer networks. Especially, the as-made PDLC films with homogeneous porous structures exhibited the optimal electro-optical properties. Consequently, this work offers a meaningful approach to control the microstructures and optimize the electro-optical properties of PDLC films, which indeed can form a wonderful footstone for the wide application of PDLC.     

Effects of the structures of epoxy monomers on the electro-optical properties of heat-cured polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared from thermal polymerisation-induced phase separation in heat-curable monomers/nematic liquid crystal (LC) mixtures. For PDLCs with a certain amount of LCs, the microstructure and the refractive index of polymer networks could be influenced by the relative content of epoxy monomers, owing to their different chemical structures. The effect of these factors on the electro-optic properties of films was also investigated.     

Effects of the structures of polymerizable monomers on the electro‐optical properties of UV cured polymer dispersed liquid crystal films

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by photopolymerization of liquid crystal (LC)/polymerizable monomers/photoinitiator composites. The effects of the structures of the polymerizable monomers on the electro‐optical properties of PDLC films were investigated. It was found that the length of the molecular chain and the rigidity and flexibility of molecules influenced the structure of the polymer network in the PDLC films somewhat, and then affected the electro‐optical properties of the composites accordingly. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1369–1375, 2008     

Poly(pyrroles) containing chiral side chains: effect of substituents on the chiral recognition in the doped as well as in the undoped state of the polymer film

The chiral discrimination of different poly(pyrroles) grafted by chiral side chains was investigated both in the doped and undoped state of the polymer films. To verify the enantioselective properties in the doped state, cyclic voltammograms were recorded in acetonitrile in the presence of the enantiomers of camphorsulfonic acid and the potentiodynamic polymerization of the appropriate monomers was performed using the same chiral electrolytes. The enantiomericrecognition in the undoped state was investigated by the application of these modified electrode surfaces in the enantioselective electroreduction of the prochiral ketones 4-methyl benzophenone and 2,5-dimethyl benzophenone. One polymer exhibits a recognition ability in the doped state; the investigation for the undoped state is in progress. A second polymer does not show enantioselective properties either in the doped nor in the undoped state. Electronic Publication     

Preparation and characterization of electrostrictive polyurethane films with conductive polymer electrodes

All-polymer electrostrictive soft films were developed for the first time by depositing conductive polymer (polypyrrole) directly on both sides of solution-cast electrostrictive polyurethane elastomer films. The final composite films are flexible with strong adhesion between the polyurethane film and the conductive polymer electrode. The conductivity (sheet resistivity ∼1000 Ω/□), of the polymer electrode is appropriate for its intended use. The compatible interface between the polypyrrole electrode polymer and the electrostrictive polyurethane significantly improves the acoustic and optical transparency of these composite films, compared with using a metal electrode film. The all-polymer films also exhibit comparable dielectric properties to gold-electroded polyurethane films in the temperature range from −40^°C to +80^°C. The temperature range covers the soft segment glass transition temperature of the polyurethane elastomers, which is about −20^°C. The films also show large electric field induced strain responses which are dependent on film thickness and measurement frequency. The electrostrictive characteristics in the all-polymer films show similarities to those of the films with gold electrodes under identical measurement conditions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of monomer structure on the morphology of polymer networks and the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by photochemical polymerisation with a series of (meth)acrylate monomers. The effects of monomer structure on the morphology of polymer networks in the PDLC films were studied. The acrylate monomers without sidegroup chain formed uniform polymer networks. The methacrylate monomers with methyl as their sidegroup chains formed lace-like networks. The size of the LC droplets increased with increasing the length of the flexible chain of both methacrylate and acrylate monomers. Meanwhile, the effects of the morphology of the polymer network on the electro-optical properties of PDLC films were also investigated.     

Photochromic fulgimide-containing silicones immobilized on the surface of polyarylate

Photochromic coatings immobilized on the surface of polyarylate films are prepared on the basis of fulgimides, oligosiloxanes, and oligosilazanes. The irradiation of coatings with UV light at a wavelength of @380 nm and visible light at a wavelength above 500 nm results in photoinduced reversible transitions between open and colored cyclic forms. Photochromic polymer films with the most acceptable characteristics are obtained from fulgimide-containing oligoaminosiloxane and oligovinyldimethylsilazane. It is found that the photosensitivity of these films is higher than that of similar films based on 1,2-dihetarylethenes.     

Preparation and characterization of polymers with oxadiazole on the side chain

Three styrene-type monomers having an oxadiazole group were prepared. The monomers were polymerized by a radical initiator into high molecular weight polymer. Polymers were soluble in many organic solvents such as chloroform, benzene and tetrahydrofuran. Polymer films were amorphous and transparent and showed no change after several months of preparation. The polymer had two reduction potentials around −2 V versus Ag/AgCl electrode. The polymer film dispersed with N,N,N′, N-tetraphenyldiaminobiphenyl (TPD) showed electroluminescence due to the exciplex with TPD. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical polymerization of imidazolum‐ionic liquids bearing a pyrrole moiety

A series of imidazolium‐based ionic liquid monomers bearing a terminal pyrrole moiety were synthesized and electrochemically polymerized. It is found that the polymerizability of the synthesized ionic liquids is strongly dependent on the type of the counteranions. Although bromide monomer is not polymerizable, well‐defined polymeric films can be formed on various substrates in the cases of flour‐containing anions (BF₄^?, PF₆^?). The performed characterizations show that all resulting polypyrrole films are electroactive, and the imidazolium‐based ionic liquid moieties are correctly incorporated in polymer films during the electropolymerization process. This work not only provides a facile new method to immobilize ionic liquids on solid surface. Interestingly, without use of any template unique “knit” morphology and nanostructure, even hierarchical structures could also be produced by the electropolymerization of these new functionalized pyrrole monomers. We found that the properties of the pendant ionic liquid units on the surface of the formed polymer films preserved, and by simple anion exchange their surface energy and tension could be easily tuned without loss of the electrical, optical properties, and morphology of the polypyrrole films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4151–4161, 2008     

Internal stress in plasma polymer films prepared by cascade arc torch polymerization

Thin plasma polymer films were deposited from several liquid monomers (mainly siloxane‐type monomers) in a low‐temperature cascade arc torch (CAT) reactor. The effects of monomer structures and plasma parameters on internal stress in the films were experimentally studied. By appropriately adjusting these factors, the internal stress in the film was reduced nearly two orders of magnitude from 10⁹ to 10⁷ dyn/cm². It was noted that the polymer films prepared from siloxane‐type monomers showed lower internal stress than their hydrocarbon counterpart. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies indicated that a large amount of Si O Si structure from siloxane monomers, which are very flexible bonds, was preserved in the resultant plasma polymers. Ellipsometry results suggested that the internal stress can be qualitatively correlated with the refractive index of the plasma polymer film. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1577–1587, 1999     

New Structures of Bismaleimides and Polyaspartimides with Ether Units

New bismaleimide monomers with various structures, synthesized by the reaction of maleic anhydride and new diamines, were used in the reaction with diamines to yield polyaspartimides. The structure of these monomers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy, and polymer structure was evidenced by FT-IR spectroscopy. The resulting new compounds were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA). The polymers exhibited film-forming ability. The quality of these films was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and their mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus) were investigated.     

Study of electrochemically deposited thin poly(N-vinylcarbazole) films

In this paper, the influence of the water content in the acetonitrile/LiClO(4) system on the electrosynthesis and the properties of poly(N-vinylcarbazole), PNVC, films is examined. By using conventional resonant frequency and impedance measurements of an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), information about the electrochemical, morphological and adhesive properties of the thin conducting films were obtained. By changing the water content of the background electrolyte, the degree of cross-linking (through the vinyl group), the doping level and the morphology of PNVC films vary simultaneously. Two limiting cases of film properties were observed: for less than 10 Vol.% water, a highly doped, porous and cross-linked polymer is synthesized. Above 10 Vol.% water content, a dense and smooth film is deposited. The growth at a constant potential was found to be limited by the diffusion of monomers to the electrode. Films grown from a system containing 20 Vol.% water exhibit better adhesive properties to the substrate than those grown from 2 Vol.% water.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Series of Nickel(II) meso-Tetrakis (polyfluorophenyl)porphyrins Functionalized by Pyrrole Groups and Their Electropolymerized Films

A new series of nickel(II) meso-tetrakis(polyfluorophenyl)porphyrins functionalized by pyrrole groups have been synthesized. Each new complex was isolated and characterized by (1)H NMR, (19)F NMR, IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry as well as electrochemistry. This is the first example of polyfluorinated substituted porphyrins where the four possible compounds have been obtained by functionalization of the para-fluorine substituents of the nickel(II) meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin. This functionalization has allowed the preparation for the first time of polyfluorinated metalloporphyrin films by oxidative electropolymerization. Electrochemical stability studies of these polymeric films have shown better stability for films derived from the monomer having four pyrrole groups because of their high degree of cross-linking degree. A large difference of electroactive solute permeation has been found in the polymeric films which have been obtained by electropolymerization of monomers for which one pyrrole group has been substituted compared to those for which four pyrrole groups have been substituted. This could be related to quite rigid polymer structures for tetrasubstituted polymer films and molecular sieving properties of monosubstituted polymer films. The spectroelectrochemistry of a polymeric film on an OTE has established that the two-electron-oxidized species are stable in the film; likewise the singly and doubly electroreduced species are stable and are more likely ligand-centered.     

Recent progress in bipolar electropolymerization methods toward one-dimensional conducting polymer structures

Recent studies on electropolymerization methods toward one-dimensional conducting polymer structures are summarized in this review. In particular, advanced techniques for templated electropolymerization of aromatic monomers, in which migration of monomers into nanopores of the template is highly enhanced by using electrophoretic effect, are described. For templateless approach, electric field–driven bipolar electropolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer is introduced as a strong tool to fabricate the corresponding conducting polymer fibers and films grown in the direction of an applied electric field.     

Effects of functionality of thiol monomer on electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films

In this paper, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films which based on the acrylate and the thiol monomers were first prepared by ultraviolet-initiated polymerisation. The electro-optical properties and morphologies of the PDLC films were systematically investigated. The functionality of thiol monomers and their feed ratio showed great influence on the properties of the fabricated PDLC films because of the existence of competition between thiol–acrylate reaction and acrylate monomer polymerisation reaction. This made the polymer network and electro-optical properties of the PDLC films easily tunable by the introduction of the thiol monomers. When added four-functional thiol monomer PETMP with appropriate concentration into the PDLC system, lower driven voltage and higher contrast ratio were achieved.     

DNA binding to electropolymerized N‐substituted polypyrrole surfaces

This study explores the use of N‐substituted polypyrroles as a route for localizing DNA molecules onto conducting surfaces. N‐substituted pyrrole monomers containing N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl groups for DNA binding reactions were synthesized. These monomers were electro‐copolymerized under different conditions on platinum or gold working electrodes in a three‐electrode/single compartment cell. Subsequent DNA reactions were performed by incubating the resulting polymer conductive films with amino‐substituted DNA sequences. In addition, the electro‐copolymerization reactions of pyrrole monomers were conducted on preselected electrode positions of the Molecular Nanosystems (MNS) wafers and the formation of conductive films was demonstrated. In these experiments, it was determined also that by controlling the electro‐copolymerization reactions, the conductive films can be restricted to grow on specific locations of the MNS wafer. This was achieved by electrically passivating the chosen electrodes with self‐assembled multilayers (SAM)s of alkane thiols. Hexadecane thiol (HDT) was found the most efficient in forming SAMs and in preventing the pyrrole electropolymerization. Various analytical techniques including AFM, IR, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the monomers, the electropolymerized polymers, and the attachment of amine‐terminated DNA to polypyrrole copolymers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6014–6024, 2009     

Biosensors based on immobilization of biomolecules by electrogenerated polymer films

The concept and potentialities of electrochemical procedures of biomolecule immobilization are described. The entrapment of biomolecules within electropolymerized films consists of the application of an appropriate potential to an electrode soaked in an aqueous solution containing monomer and biomolecules. This method of biosensor construction is compared with a two-step procedure based on the adsorption of an aqueous amphiphilic pyrrole monomer-biomolecule mixture on an electrode followed by the electropolymerization of the adsorbed monomers. Another approach is based on the electrogeneration of polymer films functionalized by specific groups allowing subsequently the attachment of biomolecules. The immobilization of biomolecules on these films by covalent binding or noncovalent interactions is described.     

Preparation and electro‐optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films with relatively low liquid crystal content

In this paper, polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) films with LC content as low as 40 wt% were prepared, and the electro‐optical properties were carefully investigated. To accomplish this, different (meth)acrylate copolymerizaiton monomers have been used. The electro‐optical properties and morphologies of the PDLC films were strongly influenced by the chemical structure of copolymerization monomers (hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), glycidyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate) and their feed ratio. Lower driven voltage and higher contrast ratio were achieved when the PDLC films showed a morphology with suitably LC domain size. At high HPMA content, a thin polymer film was formed on the surface of PDLC samples, which is beneficial to decrease the total LC content in PDLC devices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.