Open-flask, ambient temperature direct arylation synthesis of mixed ionic-electronic conductors

Journal article, 2025

Conjugated polymers are widely studied for application areas ranging from energy technology to wearable electronics and bioelectronics. To develop a truly sustainable technology, environmentally benign synthesis is essential. Here, the open-flask synthesis of a multitude of conjugated polymers at room temperature by ambient direct arylation polymerization (ADAP) is demonstrated. The batch synthesis of over 100 grams of polymer in a green solvent and continuous droplet flow synthesis without any solid support is described. Polymers prepared by ADAP are characterized by improved structural order compared to materials prepared by other methods. Hence, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) feature beyond state-of-the-art electrical properties, i.e., an OECT hole mobility mu as high as 6 cm2 V-1 s-1, a volumetric capacitance C* over 200 F cm-3, and thus a figure of merit [mu C*] exceeding 1100 F cm-1 V-1 s-1. Thus, ADAP paves the way for the benign and large-scale production of high-performance conjugated polymers.