Patterning a π-conjugated polyelectrolyte through sequential polymerization of a bifunctional ionic liquid monomer
An electronically conductive polyelectrolyte is prepared by the sequential polymerization of a bifunctional imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) monomer, composed of a thienyl and vinyl containing cation paired with a tetrafluoroborate anion. In the first step, potentiodynamic electropolymerization of the thienyl moiety forms a cationic polyalkylthiophene that is soluble in select organic solvents. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine the polymer p-doping potential (0.31 V) and the bipolaronic state (1.49 V). The polymer exhibits electrochromism, converting from red in the neutral state (lambda(max) = 443 nm) to dark blue in the polaronic state (lambda(max) = 819 nm). The solution-processable polymer can be cast into a film, masked and patterned by UV-initiated free radical polymerization of the vinyl moiety. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed that the insoluble crosslinked polyalkylthiophene-polyvinylimidazolium adopts a lamellar structure with a lattice spacing of 3.3 nm. Four-probe d.c. conductivity measurements determined the de-doped electrical conductivity was 1.0 x 10(-2) S/cm. The results underscore the importance of the anion in controlling the polymerization of IL monomers.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL); Sandia National Laboratory; USDOE Office of Science - Office of Basic Energy Sciences - Materials Sciences and Engineering Division
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1352845
- Journal Information:
- Polymer, Journal Name: Polymer Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 55; ISSN 0032-3861
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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