On-substrate polymerization of conjugated polymers and their dynamic component exchange-materials capable of perpetual property modification postpolymerization

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The proposed research program will examine new methods for preparing conjugated polymers. The method involves the solid state polymerization of materials directly on substrates using solution processable monomers. The resulting polymers are immobilized directly on substrates including transparent device electrodes such as ITO. Demonstrating this solid state polymerization and its optimization for preparing optically and electroactive polymers are proposed. The parameters required for quality films of targeted thickness are to be examined. Air stable conjugated polymers are expected that have similar optical and electrochemical properties to currently used materials. The advantage of the solid state polymerized materials is that their preparation does not require either stringent reaction conditions or extensive purification. The impact is a simple means of preparing new optically and electrochemically active polymers that can potentially be used in organic light emitting devices and electrochromic devices. The benefit of preparing immobilized polymers directly on device electrodes is ultimately both economic and ecological advantages given that fabricating devices using the solid state prepared materials requires fewer steps. ****The solid state on-substrate method can be extended to prepare conjugated dynamers. These are materials that can reversibly undergo component exchange and shuffling. The advantage of solid state over solution exchange reactions is that reversible and continuous polymer constitutional component exchanges are possible. It is proposed to examine the exchange reactions in the solid state for demonstrating and optimizing the multiple component exchange reactions without unwanted polymer degradation. This would provide the means to continuously tailor the polymer properties such as color, oxidation potential, Tg, etc. postpolymerization. Such postpolymerization property tuning by exchanging monomer units and cross-polymerization reactions is proposed. Using dynamers as self-healing materials will also be examined.********