Synthesis and Studies of Conjugated Poly(Ionomers) as Next Generation Materials for Advanced Polymer Electronics

在这个由马萨诸塞州大学化学系大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助的项目中，Amherst将开发从单一中性母体聚合物形成n型和p型掺杂共轭聚（离聚物）的方法。 本论文的主要工作是合成具有苯并咪唑重复单元的共轭聚合物，研究苯并咪唑重复单元在不同芳香体系中的酸碱和烷基化反应，系统地研究这些反应对聚合物的电学和光物理性能的影响，以及它们在不同芳香体系中的相互作用。并探索这些聚合物如何用于制造功能有机电子器件。 更广泛的影响包括培训研究生和本科生在聚合物化学和有机电子科学，传播研究成果和概念，通过出版物，在会议上介绍和纳入材料的讲座课程，通过与NOBCChE合作，扩大化学科学中代表性不足的群体的参与，将本科生带到校园进行夏季研究体验。塑料是长链有机分子，在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、经济实惠和广泛可用的电子和光学器件方面具有巨大的前景。 这项研究探索了如何利用化学来控制和切换导电聚合物的电子特性。 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, Kenneth Carter of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst will develop methodologies to form n- and p-type doped conjugated poly(ionomer)s from a single, neutral parent polymer. The approach is to synthesize conjugated polymers possessing benzimidazole repeat units either in homopolymer or copolymer form; to probe how acid-base and alkylation chemistries can be used to switch the benzimidazole repeat unit between various types of aromatic systems; to study systematically the effects of these modifications on the electrical and photo-physical behavior of the polymers; and to explore how these polymers can be used to fabricate functional organic electronic devices. The broader impacts involve training graduate and undergraduate students in polymer chemistry and organic electronics science, disseminating research results and concepts via publications, presentations at conferences and incorporation of material into lecture courses, and broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in chemical sciences via partnering with NOBCChE to bring undergraduates to campus for summer research experiences.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 chemistry can be used to control and switch the electronic properties of an electrically conducting polymer. Ultimately, such work could lead to the development of organic electronic materials, low cost solar cells, light emitting displays, and chemical and biological sensors.