Application of silica-supported catalysts and metal scavengers for synthesis and purification of polymer emiconductors

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Printed electronics is an emerging technology, which can be manufactured by printing techniques at ultra-low cost and high speed. Printed electronic products such as flexible displays, intelligent packaging, chemical and biological sensors, thin film battery, wearable electronics, etc. are envisioned to be used ubiquitously in the near future. Polymer semiconductors are the essential enabling materials for printed electronics; however traditional catalysts for manufacturing these polymers are too costly and the catalyst residues are extremely difficult to remove, which has significant detrimental impacts on the performance of the polymers. SiliCycle Inc. manufactures new generations of catalysts for C-C formation chemistries as well as catalyst scavengers for effectively removing harmful catalyst residues in the products. In the proposed project, SiliCycle Inc. will partner with Prof. Yuning Li of the University of Waterloo to explore the potential of using the novel catalysts and catalyst scavengers of the company for the synthesis and purification of polymer semiconductors in order to reduce the cost and enhance the electronic performance of the polymer semiconductors. Successful completion of this project will lead to the discovery of high performance polymer semiconductors, propel the commercialization of printed electronics in Canada and worldwide, as well as promote the company's business. New knowledge regarding chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, and electrical engineering will also be gained through this collaborative research.