Multifunctional Polymeric Materials for Use in Alternative Energy Technologies

由过渡金属和稳定的有机基团组成的聚合物是两类多功能材料，基于它们所需的氧化还原、磁性、导电、刺激响应和陶瓷前性质，已经显示出显著的前景。 然而，用于制备这些聚合物的现有技术方法的范围在可掺入的过渡金属和稳定自由基方面受到限制。 拟议研究计划的目标涉及开发和利用合成方法，以实现包含一系列过渡金属和稳定有机自由基的多功能聚合物，作为三个不同项目的一部分。1)我们将开发过渡金属催化和控制的自由基聚合协议的高度金属化的含金属的聚合物（MCP）的基础上第一行过渡金属的合成。 然后，我们将探索MCP的热解，以产生可能催化水氧化的纳米颗粒，这是太阳能储存的关键反应。2)我们将开发实现p型π共轭MCP的合成方法，并利用掺入的过渡金属的性质来调节其最高占据分子轨道（HOMO）的能量，其电磁辐射吸收曲线和聚合物的自组装特性。 这些变量中的每一个都可以在提高本体异质结太阳能电池的效率方面发挥重要作用。3)我们将探索路线，允许隔离的新家庭的自由基含聚合物，并探讨其电化学性能和潜在的效用作为空穴传输材料的染料再生染料敏化太阳能电池。 拟议的研究计划具有高度创新性，将通过开发（和潜在的商业化）新技术和与加拿大工业的合作伙伴关系，为加拿大的卓越成就做出重大贡献。它还将允许29名高素质人员（HQP）在5年资助期内接受培训。

Polymers comprised of transition metals and stable organic radicals are two classes of multifunctional materials that have shown significant promise based on their desirable redox, magnetic, conductive, stimuli responsive, and pre-ceramic properties. However, the scope of the current state of the art methods used to prepare these polymers is limited with respect to the transition metals and stable radicals that can be incorporated. The goals of the proposed research program involve the development and exploitation of synthetic methodologies allowing for the realization of multifunctional polymers incorporating a range of transition metals and stable organic radicals as part of three different projects. 1) We will develop transition metal-catalyzed and controlled radical polymerization protocols for the synthesis of highly metallized metal-containing polymers (MCPs) based on first row transition metals. We will then explore the pyrolysis of MCPs to potentially produce nanoparticles that may catalyze the oxidation of water, a key reaction in the storage of solar energy. 2) We will develop synthetic methods for the realization of p-type pi-conjugated MCPs and utilize the properties of the incorporated transition metals to tune the energy of their highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs), their electromagnetic radiation absorption profiles, and the self-assembly properties of the polymers. Each of these variables may play an important role in increasing the efficiency of bulk heterojunction solar cells. 3) We will explore routes allowing for the isolation of novel families of radical-containing polymers, and explore their electrochemical properties and potential utility as hole transport materials for dye regeneration in dye-sensitized solar cells. The proposed research program is highly innovative and will make significant contributions to Canadian excellence through the development (and potential commercialization) of novel technologies and partnerships with Canadian industry. It will also allow 29 highly qualified personnel (HQP) to be trained during the 5 year funding period.