Technology Commercialization and Partnerships | BSA 10-24: Azido Functionalized Poly(3-hexylthiophene)

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Categories: advanced materials, energy

BSA 10-24: Azido Functionalized Poly(3-hexylthiophene)

BNL Reference Number: BSA 10-24

Patent Status: Application Number 20120028191 was published on February 2, 2012

Summary

Imprinted and cross-linked P3HT-N₅.

Conductive polymers are finding mainstream applications in organic light-emitting diodes, capacitors, batteries, organic transistors, sensors, solar cells, actuators, textiles, electromagnetic interference, electrostatic discharge, antistatic packaging, and paints and coatings. In order to make these materials more robust, it would be desirable to be able to crosslink them. However, crosslinking often damages the electronic properties of the polymers. By adding crosslinking species as side chains, the crosslinked polymers retain the electronic properties inherent in the backbone, and gain stability from the crosslinking.

Description

The inventors have devised a chemical synthesis technique that renders a conjugated polymer that crosslinks when exposed to ultraviolet light. The approach uses azide-functionalized alkylthiophenes, which are compatible with the polythiophene crystal structure. These can be photolyzed to highly reactive nitrene species to facilitate crosslinking in the polymer alkyl side chains rather than along the polymer backbone whose integrity is critical for performance. UV-crosslinking decouples the process of stabilization from thermal steps used to improve electronic and/or optical properties.

Benefits

This material can be crosslinked by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, decoupling stabilization from thermal processes such as annealing. By adding crosslinking species as side chains, the crosslinked polymers retain the electronic properties inherent in the backbone, and gain stability from the crosslinking.

Applications and Industries

Actuators and sensors are the largest potential market for these conductive polymers, but many other applications exist for robust flexible conductors.