Living synthesis of conducting polymers including regioregular polymers, polythiophenes, and block copolymers
Regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophenes) and other polythiophenes can be prepared by living polymerization which have good solubility, processability and environmental stability. The polymerization method can afford regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophenes) in high yields. Kinetic study of polymerization revealed the living character of this process. The molecular weight of poly(3-alkylthiophenes) is a function of the molar ratio of the monomer to nickel initiator, and conducting polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (PDI<1.5) are now readily available. Sequential monomer addition resulted in new block copolymers containing different poly(3-alkylthiophene) segments, which further confirms the “livingness” of this system. Other synthetic methods can be used as well to conduct living polymerization. Blends and electronic devices can be prepared.
1. A composition comprising:
an AB block copolymer, wherein the A block is a regioregular polythiophene, the B block is also a regioregular polythiophene, and the A block is different than the B block, and wherein all of the blocks of the block copolymer are regioregular polythiophene blocks.
2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position, at the 4-position, or both.
3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position.
4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 4-position.
5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position and the 4-position.
6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the AB block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less.
7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the AB block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the AB block copolymer is soluble.
9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the AB block copolymer is soluble, wherein the AB block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less, and wherein the AB block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
10. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position, at the 4-position, or both, and wherein the AB block copolymer is soluble, wherein the AB block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less, and wherein the AB block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
11. A composition comprising:
an ABA block copolymer, wherein the A block is a regioregular polythiophene, the B block is also a regioregular polythiophene, and the A blocks are different than the B block, wherein all of the blocks of the block copolymer are regioregular polythiophene blocks.
12. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position, at the 4-position, or both.
13. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position.
14. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 4-position.
15. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position and the 4-position.
16. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the ABA block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less.
17. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the ABA block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
18. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the ABA block copolymer is soluble.
19. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the ABA block copolymer is soluble, wherein the ABA block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less, and wherein the ABA block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
20. The composition according to claim 11 , wherein the A block and/or the B block regioregular polythiophene is substituted at the 3-position, at the 4 -position, or both, and wherein the ABA block copolymer is soluble, wherein the ABA block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of about 25,000 or less, and wherein the ABA block copolymer has a polydispersity of about 1.5 or less.
21. A composition comprising:
an ABC block copolymer, wherein the A block is a regioregular polythiophene, wherein the B block is also a regioregular polythiophene, wherein the C block is also a regioregular polythiophene, and wherein the A block, the B block, and the C block are different from each other, and wherein all of the blocks of the block copolymer are regioregular polythiophene blocks.
22. A transistor comprising the composition according to claim 1 .
23. A light emitting diode comprising the composition according to claim 1 .
24. A photovoltaic device comprising the composition according to claim 1 .
25. A sensor comprising the composition according to claim 1 .
26. A field effect transistor comprising the composition according to claim 1 .
27. A composition comprising:
a block copolymer comprising at least two different blocks, wherein at least two of the blocks are regioregular polythiophene blocks which are different from each other and wherein all of the blocks of the block copolymer are regioregular polythiophene blocks.
28. The composition according to claim 27 , wherein the block copolymer is an AB, an ABA, or an ABC block copolymer.