Project R-4632

Synthetic strategies toward all-conjugated polymers with non-standard macromolecular architectures (Research)

Polymer electronics has grown into a robust field of research at the intersection of chemistry, physics and materials science. The vast majority of conjugated polymers applied in this field has a rather simple one-dimensional structure. To achieve further fundamental progress in the field, one of the main ideas (and great challenges) is to move from one- to three-dimensional organic semiconductors, in search of the 'organic silicon'. Novel macromolecular architectures can give rise to specific properties that can lead to applications and fundamental understandings beyond the current state of the art. This project aims at a significant contribution to this general idea by developing novel synthetic procedures toward all-conjugated polymers with non-standard topologies. A stepwise approach is proposed in which controlled 'quasi-living' polymerization techniques are developed, first for simple (end-capped) block copolythiophenes and later on introducing other heterocyclic building blocks, and the obtained insights are used for the one-pot synthesis of challenging branched all-conjugated copolymers. Continuous flow chemistry techniques are introduced as a valuable tool to increase the level of control and allow fast optimization in the quest for the optimum reaction conditions. The novel materials are implemented in ongoing research programs on organic photovoltaics and biosensors and the feedback from device results is used as a guidance to target specific structures.

01 October 2013 - 30 September 2017