Solubilizing Benzodifuranone-Based Conjugated Copolymers with Single-Oxygen-Containing Branched Side Chains
Journal article, 2024
Single-oxygen-containing branched side chains are designed and used to solubilize n-type copolymers consisting of BDF (benzodifuranone), isatin, and thiophene-based units. We present a simple synthetic approach to side chains with varying linker distances between the backbone and the branching point. The synthetic pathway is straightforward and modular and starts with commercially available reagents. The side chains give rise to excellent solubilities of BDF-thiophene copolymers of up to 90 mg/mL, while still being moderate in size (26-34 atoms large). The excellent solubility furthermore allows high molar mass materials. BDF-thiophene copolymers are characterized in terms of optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties. The electrical conductivity of chemically doped polymers is found to scale with molar mass, reaching ∼1 S/cm for the highest molar mass and longest backbone-branching point distance.
n-type conjugated polymers
branching point variation
solubility
benzodifuranone polymers
organic thermoelectrics
branched side chains
Author
Diego R. Hinojosa
Technische Universität Chemnitz
Nathan J. Pataki
Center for Nano Science and Technology
Polytechnic University of Milan
Pietro Rossi
Polytechnic University of Milan
Center for Nano Science and Technology
Andreas Erhardt
Monash University
Shubhradip Guchait
Institut Charles Sadron
Francesca Pallini
University of Milano-Bicocca
Christopher R. McNeill
Monash University
Christian Müller
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
M. Caironi
Center for Nano Science and Technology
M. Sommer
Technische Universität Chemnitz
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
26376105 (eISSN)
Vol. 6 1 457-465Hybrid and Organic Thermoelectric Systems (HORATES)
European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/955837), 2021-03-01 -- 2025-02-28.
Subject Categories
Polymer Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Technologies
Other Materials Engineering
DOI
10.1021/acsapm.3c02137
PubMed
38230364