Conjugated polymer based materials via the incorporation of polymerizable units

Since the discovery of conducting polymers (CPs), efforts have focused on synthesizing CPs with improved processability, and finding new applications for the unique conjugated structure of CPs. This Thesis details the development of new CP based materials by block copolymerization and/or end-capping with polymerizable units. In Chapter 1, three different norbornene derivatives having phenylene-heterocyclic moieties were copolymerized with either norbornene or 7-oxanorbornene derivatives via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Block copolymers' stabilities and solubilities could be improved by hydrogenation of double bonds in the polymer backbone. The block copolymers were subsequently cross-linked by anodic electropolymerization of phenylene-heterocycle moieties, affording conducting polymers. All of these three block copolymers were readily deposited on the electrode substrates, and their cyclic voltammograms revealed an excellent reversibility in the redox cycles. The deposited polymer films also showed reversible color change between oxidized and neutral states. In Chapter 2, three different conjugated polymers having interesting properties and/or useful applications were synthesized and end-capped with norbornene using the hydroarylation reaction. These norbornene end-capped CPs became macroinitiators using Grubbs' catalysts, and they were used to prepare block copolymers by polymerizing ROMP monomers.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Kang, Hyun A

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Timothy M. Swager.

• Chemistry.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/49743

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/49743