Sterically Hindered Polymers for Organic Photovoltaic Applications (OPV)

在这个由化学系大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助的项目中，肯塔基大学的Mark Watson将探索侧链结构在共轭聚合物组装和导电性能中的作用。方法是制备三类具有独特重复单元的供体-受体共聚物：(1)带有烷氧基侧链的供体单体，其侧链位于聚合物主链的α和β位置；(2)带有炔基侧链的供体单体，其侧链位于聚合物主链的3-和4位；(3)侧链垂直于聚合物主链的受体单体。合成的聚合物中的结构-性质关系将用一系列表征方法来描绘。更广泛的影响包括在跨学科环境中培训本科生和研究生，通过访问地区性机构展示实践科学演示，以及参加为期一周的“科学夏令营”和当地儿童博物馆，扩大未被充分代表的群体在化学科学领域的参与。塑料是长链有机分子，存在于日常生活的许多方面，包括食品包装、汽车和航空航天运输的结构材料，以及轻型电子设备。导电碳基(有机)分子和聚合物在实现高效、廉价和广泛使用的电子和光学设备方面具有巨大的前景。这项研究探索了聚合物的结构如何影响其组装，进而影响其在电子设备中的特性和性能。最终，这些工作可能会导致有机电子材料、低成本太阳能电池、发光显示器以及化学和生物传感器的发展。

In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Mark Watson of the University of Kentucky will explore the role of side chain structure in the assembly and conducting properties of conjugated polymers. The approach is to prepare three classes of donor-acceptor copolymers possessing unique repeat units: (1) donor monomers carrying alkoxy side chains with increasingly bulky branches placed at the alpha- and beta-positions from the polymer backbone; (2) donor monomers carrying alkynyl side chains with increasingly bulky branches placed at the 3- and 4-positions; (3) acceptor monomers with side chains positioned perpendicular to the polymer backbone. Structure-property relationships in the synthesized polymers will be delineated using a series of characterization methods. The broader impacts involve training undergraduate and graduate students in an interdisciplinary environment, broadening participation of underrepresented groups in chemical sciences via visits to regional institutions to present hands-on science demonstrations and participation in week-long "Summer Science Camps" and a local children's museum.Plastics are long chain organic molecules and are found in many facets of everyday life, including food packaging, structural materials for automotive and aerospace transportation, and lightweight electronic devices. Electrically conducting carbon-based (organic) molecules and polymers hold enormous promise for realizing highly efficient, affordable, and broadly available electronic and optical devices. This research explores how the structure of the polymer affects its assembly which, in turn, impacts its properties and performance in electronic devices. Ultimately, such work could lead to the development of organic electronic materials, low cost solar cells, light emitting displays, and chemical and biological sensors.