New Approaches Towards Highly Stretchable and Self-Healable Conjugated Polymers

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Conjugated materials, especially semiconducting polymers, are an interesting class of compounds for a wide variety of applications. More specifically, these materials have suitable properties for use in organic electronics and they also possess a high solubility that allows for device fabrication and manufacturing via large-scale printing methods. Moreover, good mechanical and optical properties make semiconducting polymers an ideal platform for the development of stretchable and self-healing devices with great potential in wearable electronics and healthcare. In most organic electronic devices, the performance is mainly limited due to morphological issues. Given their high crystallinity and rigidity, the mechanical properties of conjugated polymers have to be optimized in order to increase their strain tolerance and performance. Thus, novel methods to obtain ordered and nanostructured conjugated polymers that can tolerate extreme environmental conditions (strain, puncture, heat, etc.) are highly desirable for the expansion of this technology.******The unifying theme of this research program is to exploit the unique opportunity given by supramolecular chemistry to design and prepare robust and self-healable semiconducting polymeric materials. To reach this goal, a rational design of the conjugated polymers and organic materials will be performed. By incorporating various types of functionalities allowing supramolecular interactions, a carefully controlled modulation of the polymer morphology is possible. The resulting ordered and well-defined polymer networks will enhance the charge-transport and mechanical properties. We also propose to incorporate conjugated crosslinking moieties that will link, fix and rigidify the polymer chain network, thereby improving the overall charge transport within the materials. To this end, after supramolecular self-assembly of the conjugated polymer chains, a novel and efficient crosslinking methodology will be used via polydiacetylene formation to give access to structurally innovative and mechanically robust stretchable conjugated polymers. From a broad perspective, the synthesis and development of stretchable and self-healable organic materials, as well as new crosslinking methodologies, are of great interest for the development of new innovative organic functional materials. The materials and strategies developed will lead and contribute to the evolution of revolutionary technologies such as wearable and flexible electronics.******This unique research program will also contribute to the training of highly qualified scientists with a diverse set of skills at the interface of chemistry, physics and engineering which will benefit Canadian private and public research. These projects will also educate and train graduate and undergraduate students in chemical synthesis and molecular design in materials science.