Facile one‐pot method of initiator fixation for surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization on carbon hard spheres

An efficient and novel one‐pot process is developed to immobilize the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiators onto the surface of fully pyrolyzed carbon hard spheres (CHSs) via a radical trapping process from the in situ thermal decomposition of bis(bromomethylbenzoyl)peroxide. The CHSs do not require any additional preparative treatment prior to the initiator immobilization. Styrene and methyl methacrylate are polymerized onto initiator‐immobilized CHSs by surface‐initiated atomic transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP). Samples are characterized using Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These methods of characterization confirmed that all the CHSs are coated with a uniform layer of grafted polymer. This efficient, one‐pot immobilization of ATRP‐initiators represents an exceptionally simple route for the rapid preparation of various polymer‐coated carbon‐based nanomaterials using SI‐ATRP. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3314–3322     

Imide‐functionalized naphthodithiophene based donor‐acceptor conjugated polymers for solar cells

Donor‐acceptor conjugated polymers containing a new imide‐functionalized naphthodithiophene (INDT) as the acceptor unit and a 2,2'‐bithiophene with varied substituents as the donor unit have been synthesized. The bandgaps of these polymers depend strongly on the dihedral angle of the 2,2'‐bithiophene unit. The 3,3'‐dialkoxy substitution (polymers PDOR / PBOR ) leads to near planar bithiophene conformation due to the well‐known S–O short contact, while the 3,3'‐dialkyl substitution (polymer PDR ) results in significant twisting due to the steric effect. Consequently PDOR / PBOR shows the lowest bandgap of 1.82/1.85 eV while PDR has a bandgap of 2.38 eV. Bulk‐heterojunction solar cells of the polymer/fullerene blends have been fabricated. Preliminary results show that PBOR gives the best device performance with power conversion efficiencies as high as 2.45% in air without any thermal annealing treatment, indicating the promising potential of INDT‐containing conjugated polymers for efficient solar cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3818–3828     

Chiral and water‐soluble poly(2‐oxazoline)s

We describe the synthesis and characterization of the first water‐soluble and chiral poly(2,4‐disubstituted‐2‐oxazoline)s. While poly(2,4‐dimethyl‐2‐oxazoline)s are water soluble up to 100 °C, aqueous solutions of poly(2‐ethyl‐4‐methly‐2‐oxazoline) exhibit a lower critical solution temperature. This is discussed in context with its constitutional isomers poly(2‐oxazoline)s and poly(2‐oxazine)s. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed strong Cotton effects, which are also responsive to temperature in aqueous solution. It is therefore hypothesized that structures, comparable to polyproline helices, are formed in aqueous solution. In contrast to polyproline, poly(2,4‐disubstituted‐2‐oxazoline)s are highly water soluble and therefore represent very interesting pseudo‐polypeptides that may be useful to develop responsive biomimetic biomaterials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis of two dihydropyrroloindoledione‐based copolymers for organic electronics

Two novel dihydropyrroloindoledione (DPID)‐based copolymers have been synthesized in a two directional approach and characterized (gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ultraviolet‐visible (UV–vis), cyclic voltammetry, and computational models). These planar, broad absorption copolymers show promise for use in organic electronics, with deep energy levels and low bandgaps. The two‐directional Knoevenagel condensation used demonstrates the versatility of DPID as a useful yet underexploited conjugated unit. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of polythiophene block copolymer and fullerene derivative capable of “three‐point” complementary hydrogen bonding interactions and their application in bulk‐heterojunction solar cells

We report the synthesis and characterization of a polythiophene block copolymer (P4) selectively functionalized with diaminopyrimidine moieties and a thymine tethered fullerene derivative (F1). Self‐assembly between P4 and F1 through “three‐point” complementary hydrogen bonding is studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. A large Stern‐Volmer constant (K_SV) of 1.2 × 10⁵ M^?1 is observed from fluorescence quenching experiments, revealing strong complexation between these two components. Solar cells employing P4 and F1 at different weight ratios as active layers are fabricated and tested; corresponding thin film morphologies are studied in detail by optical imaging and atomic force microscopy. Correlations between polymer complex structures, film morphologies, and device performance are discussed. Thermal stability of benchmark poly(3‐hexylthiophene) bulk heterojunction solar cells is found to be improved by the addition of a few weight percent of P4/F1 complexes as compatibilizers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3339–3350     

On the redox reactions of radicals with AlIII(phthalocyaninate) pendants covalently bonded to poly(ethyleneamide). Mechanistic alterations when radicals are formed inside pockets of micelle‐like polymer aggregates

The mechanisms of the redox reactions between a polymer containing Al(III) sulfonated phthalocyanine pendants, (Al^III(^?NHS(O₂)trspc)^2?)₂, and radicals have been investigated in this work. Pulse radiolysis and photochemical methods were used for these studies. Oxidizing radicals, OH^?, HCO₃^?, (CH₃)₂COHCH₂^?, and N₃^?, as well as reducing radicals, e_aq^?, CO₂^??, and (CH₃)₂C^?OH, respectively accept or donate one electron forming pendent phthalocyanine radicals, Al^III(^?NHS(O₂)trspc ^?)^{? or 3?}. The kinetics of the redox processes is consistent with a mechanism where the pendants react with radicals formed inside aggregates of five to six polymer strands. Electron donating radicals, that is, CO₂^?? and (CH₃)₂C^?OH, produce one‐electron reduced phthalocyanine pendants that, even though they were stable under anaerobic conditions, donated charge to a Pt catalyst. While the polymer was regenerated in the Pt catalyzed processes, 2‐propanol and CO₂ were respectively reduced to propane and CO. The reaction of SO₃^?? radicals with the polymer stood in contrast with the reactions of the radicals mentioned above. A first step of the mechanism, the coordination of the SO₃^?? radical to the Al(III), was subsequently followed by the formation of a SO₃^?? ‐ phthalocyanine ligand adduct. The decay of the SO₃^?? ‐ phthalocyanine ligand adduct in a ～10² ms time domain regenerates the polymer, and it was attributed to the dimerization/disproportionation of SO₃^?? radicals escaping from the aggregates of polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Polymer electrolyte membranes based on polystyrenes with phosphonic acid via long alkyl side chains

A series of polystyrenes with phosphonic acid ( 5 ) via long alkyl side chains (4, 6, and 8 methylene units) were prepared by the radical polymerization of the corresponding diethyl ω‐(4‐vinylphenoxy)alkylphosphonates, followed by the hydrolysis with trimethylsilyl bromide. The resulting phosphonated polystyrene membranes had a high oxidative stability against Fenton's reagent at room temperature. The membranes prepared from 5 exhibited a very low water uptake, similar to that of Nafion 117 over the wide range of 30 to 80% relative humidity (RH). The proton conductivities of these membranes are lower than that of Nafion 117 in the range of 30 to 90% RH, but comparable or higher than those of the reported phosphonated polymers with higher IEC values, such as the phosphonated poly(N‐phenylacrylamide) (PDPAA, IEC: 6.72 mequiv/g) and fluorinated polymers with pendant phosphonic acids (M47, IEC: 8.5 mequiv/g), at low RH conditions despite the much lower IEC values (3.0–3.8 mequiv/g) of these membranes. These results suggest that the flexible pendant side chains of 5 would contribute to the formation of hydrogen‐bonding networks by considering the very low water uptake of these polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Syntheses and structural characterization of New Tl + and K + complexes of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (HDNB), [Tl(μ-DNB)] n and [K(μ-DNB)(μ-HDNB)] n

Two new Tl⁺ and K⁺ complexes of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (HDNB), [Tl(μ-DNB)] _n and [K(μ-DNB)(μ-HDNB)] _n have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Determination of the structure of the [K(μ-DNB)(μ-HDNB)] _n and [Tl(μ-DNB)] _n by X-ray crystallography shows that there are nine coordinate K atoms (KO₉) and eight coordinate Tl atoms (TlO₈). The [Tl(μ-DNB)] _n and [K(μ-DNB)(μ-HDNB)] _n complexes are 2D and 3D coordination polymers, respectively.     

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