Science News
"Promising New Type of Polymers - Organic Polymers"
Date : 06-Dec-2022
Bright colors: SPPV polymers have many important technological applications.
Credit: TU Wien
Nowadays, organic polymers are extensively used in solar cells, sensors, LEDs and in many other technical applications. One specific type of polymer, known as S-PPVs, were previously regarded as promising in theory but were almost impossible to produce from a technical perspective. After many years of work, a team from TU Wien has now managed to identify a new chemical synthesis process for the production of S-PPVs. Suitable monomers are manufactured with the help of microwave radiation. These are polymerised and the side groups can then be further modified. The colour changes during the process, so you can see it as it happens. This production process has now been patented.
The synthetic method for a new, highly promising group of polymers is very simple. The synthesis uses inexpensive base materials and does not require any palladium catalysts or similar expensive interim steps. The method can be scaled up for industrial quantities, is easily reproducible and delivers a product that not only boasts improved electronic properties, but also improved stability," says Glöcklhofer. Additionally, S-PPVs are also relatively non-toxic and biocompatible, making them excellent candidates for use in medical applications.
News Source: ScienceDaily
Reference: Martina Rimmele, Klaus Ableidinger, Adam V. Marsh, Nathan J. Cheetham, M. Josef Taublaender, Alina Buchner, Jonathan Prinz, Johannes Fröhlich, Miriam M. Unterlass, Martin Heeney, Florian Glöcklhofer. Thioalkyl- and sulfone-substituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s. Polymer Chemistry, 2019; DOI: 10.1039/C8PY01717D