Semiconducting Polymers


Book Description

Semiconducting polymers are of great interest for applications in electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries and diodes. In recent years vast advances have been made in the area of controlled synthesis of semiconducting polymers, specifically polythiophenes. The book is separated into two main sections, the first will introduce the advances made in polymer synthesis, and the second will focus on the microstructure and property analysis that has been enabled because of the recent advances in synthetic strategies. Edited by one of the leaders in the area of polythiophene synthesis, this new book will bring the field up to date with more recent models for understanding semiconducting polymers. The book will be applicable to materials and polymers chemists in industry and academia from postgraduate level upwards.




Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Conjugated Polymers and Small Molecules for Photovoltaic Applications


Book Description

This dissertation describes the synthesis and characterization of several novel conjugated polymers and small molecules for use in research on organic photovoltaics (i.e. polymer solar cells/organic solar cells). Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter that briefly introduces semiconducting polymers and gives a brief overview of their use in polymer solar cells. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis and characterization of the conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly{(4,4-bis(3'-(N-ethyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)propyl)cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b']dithiophene)-2,6-diyl-alt-(thiophene-2,5-diyl)} bromide (PCT). Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of conjugated polymers containing substituted dithieno[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine monomer units, and also describes the fabrication and analysis of solar cells devices made from these materials. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of conjugated polymers and small molecules based on the condensation of various aromatic o-diamines with o-diketones to produce novel N-heteroacenes. Chapter 5 gives a brief review of the work reported in this dissertation and provides suggestions for future work that can be built on those findings.




Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume 1


Book Description

Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume One: Synthesis, Properties and Optoelectrochemical Devices describes the synthesis and characterization of varied conjugated polymeric materials and their key applications, including active electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries, along with new ideas of functional materials for next-generation high-energy batteries, a discussion of common design procedures, and the pros and cons of conjugated polymers for certain applications. The book’s emphasis lies in the underlying electronic properties of conjugated polymers, their characterization and analysis, and the evaluation of their effectiveness for utilization in energy and electronics applications. This book is ideal for researchers and practitioners in the area of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Provides an overview of the synthesis and functionalization of conjugated polymers and their composites Reviews important photovoltaics applications of conjugated polymeric materials, including their use in energy storage, batteries and optoelectronic devices Discusses conjugated polymers and their application in electronics for sensing, bioelectronics, memory, and more




Semiconducting Polymers


Book Description

Semiconducting polymers are of great interest for applications in electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This volume provides a thorough introduction to the basic concepts of the photophysics of semiconducting polymers as well as a description of the principal polymerization methods for luminescent polymers. Divided into two main sections, the book first introduces the advances made in polymer synthesis and then goes on to focus on the photophysics aspects, also exploring how new advances in the area of controlled syntheses of semiconducting polymers are applied. An understanding of the photophysics process in this kind of material requires some knowledge of many different terms in this field, so a chapter on the basic concepts is included. The process that occurs in semiconducting polymers spans time scales that are unimaginably fast, sometimes less than a picosecond. To appreciate this extraordinary scale, it is necessary to learn a range of vocabularies and concepts that stretch from the basic concepts of photophysics to modern applications, such as electroluminescent devices, solar cells, batteries, and diodes. This book provides a starting point for a broadly based understanding of photophysics concepts applied in understanding semiconducting polymers, incorporating critical ideas from across the scientific spectrum.




Synthesis and Characterization of Chromophores and Semiconducting Polymers Incorporating a 1,4-fluorenylene Scaffold


Book Description

Abstract: Research on conjugated chromophores and polymers has been a lucrative and highly active area for over a quarter-century. These pursuits have been driven by the unique properties of conjugated systems that allow their application in myriad fields including photonics (e.g. non-linear optics), and especially optoelectronics (e.g. organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and photovoltaic (PV) cells). Despite the years of dedicated research, there is still much work to be done in developing better materials for these types of applications. The full range of available molecular architecture and functionalization that are yet to be explored is still an untapped well of research. To this end, the research presented here aims to explore a particular scaffold, a 1,4-fluorenylene unit, as a building block for conjugated systems. This research has elucidated novel chromophores and polymers and explored their properties so as to better understand the influence of sterics on photophysical behavior within conjugated systems, while also improving and devising new methods to be able to synthesize chromophores and polymers that can be tuned to exhibit certain photophysical or electrochemical behavior. A general overview of why conjugated materials are useful in optoelectronics, different type of conjugated materials, and some targeted applications is presented in Chapter 1. A more detailed study of polymers built on a 1,4-fluorenylene unit is presented in Chapters 2 and 3, while Chapter 4 explores the development of a new polymerization route for PPVs to reduce incidence of defects in the final polymer. Chapters 5 - 7 include a detailed investigation of 1,4-fluorenylene-containing chromophores. Chapter 5 focuses on symmetrically substituted 1,4-fluorenylenes, while Chapter 7 describes the synthesis and characterization of asymmetrically substituted 1,4-fluorenylene units. Chapter 6 demonstrates a new method for asymmetrically substituting aromatic compounds using species that contain phosphonate and phosphonium groups.




Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazole-containing Conjugated Polymers


Book Description

Semiconducting conjugated polymers hold tremendous promise as active layers for transformative electronic devices. This materials class benefits from the structural variety provided by organic chemistry such that highly tunable band structures are attainable for as-synthesized polymers. This dissertation describes the synthesis and characterization of novel imidazole-containing conjugated polymers for the purposes of (de)protonating the as-synthesized materials gaining conjugated poly(ionomer)s. (De)protonation easily enables band structure modification through manipulation of the materials' ionization potential and electron affinity. Controlled exposure to acids and bases led to reversible (de)protonation observable via UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies. (De)protonation's effects on polymeric band structures was empirically and computationally examined. Additionally, we scrutinize different approaches for gaining end-functionalized conjugated polymers from AA/BB-type polycondensations and delineate requirements to obtain well-defined chain-ends.




Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume 2


Book Description

Conjugated Polymers for Next-Generation Applications, Volume Two: Energy Storage Devices describes the synthesis and characterization of varied conjugated polymeric materials and their key applications, including active electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries, along with new ideas of functional materials for next-generation high-energy batteries, a discussion of common design procedures, and the pros and cons of conjugated polymers for certain applications. The book’s emphasis lies in the underlying electronic properties of conjugated polymers, their characterization and analysis, and the evaluation of their effectiveness for utilization in energy and electronics applications. This book is ideal for researchers and practitioners in the area of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Provides an overview of the synthesis and functionalization of conjugated polymers and their composites Reviews important photovoltaics applications of conjugated polymeric materials, including their use in energy storage, batteries and optoelectronic devices Discusses conjugated polymers and their application in electronics for sensing, bioelectronics, memory, and more




Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications


Book Description

A timely overview of fundamental and advanced topics of conjugated polymer nanostructures Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications is a comprehensive reference on conjugated polymers for energy applications. Distinguished academic and editor Srabanti Ghosh offers readers a broad overview of the synthesis, characterization, and energy-related applications of nanostructures based on conjugated polymers. The book includes novel approaches and presents an interdisciplinary perspective rooted in the interfacing of polymer and synthetic chemistry, materials science, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. This book provides complete descriptions of conjugated polymer nanostructures and polymer-based hybrid materials for energy conversion, water splitting, and the degradation of organic pollutants. Photovoltaics, solar cells, and energy storage devices such as supercapacitors, lithium ion battery electrodes, and their associated technologies are discussed, as well. Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications covers both the fundamental topics and the most recent advances in this rapidly developing area, including: The design and characterization of conjugated polymer nanostructures, including the template-free and chemical synthesis of polymer nanostructures Conjugated polymer nanostructures for solar energy conversion and environmental protection, including the use of conjugated polymer-based nanocomposites as photocatalysts Conjugated polymer nanostructures for energy storage, including the use of nanocomposites as electrode materials The presentation of different and novel methods of utilizing conjugated polymer nanostructures for energy applications Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and physical chemists, Conjugated Polymer Nanostructures for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications also belongs on the bookshelves of organic chemists and any other practicing researchers, academics, or professionals whose work touches on these highly versatile and useful structures.