Thiophene π‐bridge effect on photovoltaic performances of dithienosilole and bithiazole backboned polymers

In this article, two dithienosilole (DTS) and bithiazole (BTz) backboned donor–acceptor (D‐A) copolymers with (poly{5‐(5‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐silolo[3,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophen‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,4'‐dinonyl‐5'‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,2'‐bithiazole} (PDTS‐DTBTz)) and without (poly{5‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐silolo[3,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,4'‐dinonyl‐2,2'‐bithiazole} (PDTS‐BTz)) thiophene π‐bridge were synthesized to study the influence of thiophene π‐bridge on their photovoltaic performances. Both polymers show similar band gap, but polymer with thiophene π‐bridge (PDTS‐DTBTz) has a higher molecular weight, narrower polydispersity index (PDI), more planar geometry, higher crystallinity, higher hole mobility, and better miscibility with fullerene (polymer solar cells (PSCs) acceptor). Although PDTS‐BTz polymer based PSCs devices show higher open circuit voltage (V_oc), PDTS‐DTBTz polymer does show higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) with improved short circuit current density (J_sc) and fill factor (FF). The present results indicate that thiophene π‐bridge does contribute to the PSCs performances of dithienosilole and bithiazole backboned copolymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42798.     

Dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]naphtho[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene based medium bandgap conjugated polymers for photovoltaic applications

Three novel medium band gap (MBG) conjugated polymers (CPs) (named as P1, P2, and P3, respectively) were developed by copolymerizing 2,7‐dibromo‐10,11‐di(2‐hexyldecyloxy)dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]naphtho[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene (NDT‐Br) with three different units: 2,5‐bis(tributylstannyl)thiophene, 2,5‐bis(trimethylstannyl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene and trans?1,2‐bis(tributylstannyl)ethene, respectively. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of the polymers were investigated. All of the polymers have good thermal stability and medium band gap (～ 1.9 eV). Prototype bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells based on the blend P1/P2/P3 and [6, 6] phenyl‐C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) were assembled and the photovoltaic properties were assessed. Power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 1.61% ～ 2.43% have been obtained under 100 mW cm^?2 illumination (AM1.5). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43288.     

Synthesis and chemical properties of electrochromic π‐conjugated polyphenylenes with pendant viologen‐TCNQ salts

Polyphenylene (PP) with NH₂ side groups, namely, PFluNH ₂ , was synthesized by the Pd‐catalyzed reaction of 2,5‐dibromoaniline with 9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐diboronic acid bis(1,3‐propanediol) ester. The reaction of PFluNH ₂ with 1‐hexyl‐1′‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)‐4,4′‐bipyridinium diiodide ( SaltBPy(I^?) ) eliminated 2,4‐dinitroaniline to yield PPs with viologen (1,1′‐disubstituted 4,4′‐bipyridinium dications), PFluBPy(I^?) . The reaction of PFluBPy(I^?) with Li⁺TCNQ ^? resulted in anion exchange between Cl ^? and TCNQ ^? , and yielded PFluBPy(TCNQ^?) . The reaction of PFluBPy(TCNQ^?) with the neutral TCNQ⁰ resulted in an interaction between TCNQ ^? and TCNQ⁰, and yielded PFluBPy(TCNQ^?‐TCNQ⁰) . Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggested that an electrochemical reduction of the viologen moiety and oxidation of the polymer backbone within PFluBPy(TCNQ^?) and PFluBPy(TCNQ^?‐TCNQ⁰) . Furthermore, this reaction was accompanied by electrochromism. The electric conductivities (σ) of the pellets molded from PFluBPy(TCNQ^?) to PFluBPy(TCNQ^?‐TCNQ⁰) were 2.7 × 10 ^{? 4} and 4.2 × 10 ^{? 4} Scm ^{? 1}, respectively; these σ values were higher than that observed for PFluNH ₂ (σ < 10 ^{? 8} Scm ^{? 1}) due to the self‐doping in the polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Synthesis of amphiphilic isoindigo co‐polymers for organic field effect transistors: A comparative study

In this work, the amphiphilic isoindigo (am‐iInd) based conjugated polymers namely poly(am‐iInd‐DT) and poly(am‐iInd‐TT) and their regular counterpart poly(reg‐iInd‐DT) and poly(reg‐iInd‐TT) were synthesized to compare their opto‐electronic and charge transport properties. They were used to fabricate organic field effect transistors. Charge transport properties in conjugated polymers depend upon intermolecular interaction which is strongly affected by the nature of side chains. The amphiphilic nature of the conjugated polymers has little impact on the charge transport properties. The charge carrier mobility of amphiphilic conjugated polymers was comparable with the regular polymers except poly(reg‐iInd‐DT) which can be correlated by X‐ray diffraction and thin film morphology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45461.     

Synthesis and solar cells applications of EO‐PF‐DTBT polymer

Poly{[2,7‐(9,9‐bis‐(1‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)‐fluorene)]‐alt‐[5,5‐(4,7‐di‐2′‐thienyl‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)]} (EO‐PF‐DTBT) was synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction. The polymer is soluble in common organic solvent, such as toluene, THF, and chloroform, and it also shows solubility in polar solvent, such as cyclopentanone. Solar cells based on EO‐PF‐DTBT and PC₆₁BM show maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.65% with an open circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.86 V, a short circuit current density (J_SC) of 6.10 mA/cm², and a fill factor of 51% under AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW/cm², which is the best results for fluorene and 4,7‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole copolymers and PC₆₁BM blend. The 1,8‐diiodooctane can work well to reduce the over‐aggregated phase structure in polymer solar cells. Our results suggest that the introducing high hydrophilic side chain into conjugated polymer donor materials can tune the aggregation structure and improve the solar cells performances. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40478.     

Diffuse color patterning using blended electrochromic polymers for proof‐of‐concept adaptive camouflage plaques

A study using three different pairs of electrochromic polymers (ECPs) synthesized onto plaques by means of a modified vapor phase polymerization (VPP) technique is presented. Restriction of the respective polymerization times, allowed both faster and slower polymerizing monomers to be controlled, and produced blended plaques with visually diffuse interfaces. The ECPs within the blended plaques retain their individual electrochromic behavior and when encapsulated into an electrochromic device, show outstanding optical switching performance with little degradation evident over 10,000 cycles, coupled with a switching time of the order of 1 second. Blends also allow multiple diffuse color changes within an electrochromic device, due to the difference in oxidation potentials of the individual ECPs, making them candidates for adaptive camouflage use. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42158.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(2,5‐didecyl‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene), poly(2,5‐didecyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene), and their alternating copolymer

The preparation of dialkyl‐substituted poly(2,5‐didecyl‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene) ( PDDPV ) by the Horner‐Emmons polycondensation is described. Its performance in an organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) device architecture is compared with devices prepared from the analogous dialkoxy‐substituted poly(2,5‐didecyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene) ( PDOPV ) and the corresponding alkyl‐alkoxy‐substituted alternating copolymer. Additionally, the structure, stability, electrochemical, and optical properties of the PPVs were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV‐Visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41162.     

Biocatalyic synthesis of unusually photoluminescent oligomers and electrically conducting polymers of 4‐(3‐pyrrolyl)butyric acid

Unusually photoluminescent undoped oligomers and doped electrically conducting polymers of 4‐(3‐Pyrrolyl)butyric acid have been enzymatically synthesized using the oxidoreductase soybean peroxidase as a catalyst. This biocatalytic approach provides a direct route to a fluorescent‐undoped oligomer of pyrrole that requires no protection/deprotection chemistry. The synthesis is carried out in aqueous media that requires only monomer, enzyme, and hydrogen peroxide. The undoped oligomer exhibits stable emission properties and is highly sensitive to the presence of environmentally important metal ions, such as Co(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) in solution. Electrically conducting polymers can also be obtained by adding a dopant to a buffered reaction solution prior to initiating the polymerization. Polymers doped with camphor‐10‐sulfonic acid exhibit conductivity values as high as 10^?2 S/cm. Additionally, polymers synthesized in the presence of a biobased cationic template, N,N,N‐trimethylchitosan chloride, exhibit conductivity values that are an order of magnitude greater than polymers synthesized with the anionic polymeric template, poly(styrene sulfonic acid)‐sodium salt. The biobased synthetic strategy described here is the first report of directly obtaining an undoped, fluorescent conjugated oligomer of a pyrrole in aqueous solution. Unlike conventional chemical catalysts, the enzyme does not dope the oligomer and therefore provides the opportunity to directly obtain fluorescent conjugated species. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41035.     

Matched‐dual‐polymer electrochromic lenses,using new cathodically coloring conducting polymers,with exceptional performance and incorporated into automated sunglasses

Reported are syntheses of several new monomer precursors of cathodically coloring conducting polymers (CPs), based on a propylene dioxythiophene skeleton. These are shown to yield CPs—both as homopolymers and as copolymers—that are nearly “perfectly” matched electrochemically and electrochromically with a set of anodically coloring poly(aromatic amines), for use in dual‐polymer electrochromic lenses. Resulting dual‐polymer electrochromic lenses display very high light/dark contrast (typically up to 70/7% or 50/0.5% Transmission (integrated over visible spectrum, vs. air reference), Haze < 2%, very high cyclability (> 10 K cycles), multiyear shelf life, appealing transparent to dark‐blue‐black transition, and excellent optical memory. Dramatic lowering of switching time, from 8 to < 1 s, is demonstrated using unique applied‐potential algorithm resident on inexpensive Microcontroller chip. Working, practical dual‐polymer electrochromic spectacles are demonstrated with electrochromic lenses retrofitted to spectacles meeting ANSI Z87.1, GL‐PD 10–12 (U.S. military) specifications. These incorporate photosensor, rechargeable Li battery, Microcontroller, allow for automated operation. Ab‐initio‐design spectacles, also conforming to above specifications, are also demonstrated, with components seamlessly hidden within frame. To the best of our knowledge, the electrochromic lenses and sunglasses reported herein represent the best visible‐region electrochromic performance for dual‐polymer CP electrochromic systems to date and the first practical implementation in working sunglasses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41043.     

Tunable molecular weights of poly(triphenylamine‐2,2′‐bithiophene) and their effects on photovoltaic performance as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Despite the huge progress achieved over the past decade, the relationship between the molecular weights of dyes and the performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) remains unclear. In this article, we report on the fine control of the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) of poly(triphenylamine‐2,2′‐bithiophene) (PPAT) dyes with cyanoacrylic acid moieties as acceptors. We found a correlation between the M_n and photovoltaic performance of these polymers when they were used for DSSC applications. In this study, three samples (PPAT‐01, PPAT‐02, and PPAT‐03) with different M_n values (M_ns = 1700, 2800, and 3500 g/mol) were prepared through the control of the polymerization time and characterized by analytical gel permeation chromatography and NMR. Under the same experimental conditions, the overall cell efficiency of the oligomer dyes showed a nonmonotonic tendency with increasing molecular weight. The power‐conversion efficiencies were 2.81% for PPAT‐01, 4.72% for PPAT‐02, and 1.88% for PPAT‐03. UV absorption measurements proved that PPAT‐03 formed aggregation, whereas PPAT‐01 and PPAT‐02 were in the monolayer state adsorbed on TiO₂. The larger aggregation decreased charge transfer; thus, poor photoelectric conversion performance was observed. Furthermore, a higher molecular weight reduced the amount of PPAT‐03 adsorbed on TiO₂, and this had a crucial effect on the performance of the cells because of the reduced photocurrent. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44182.     

Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole derivatives

New π‐conjugated polymers containing dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole (DTP) were successfully synthesized via electropolymerization. The effect of structural differences on the electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the 4‐[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl]aniline (DTP–aryl–NH₂), 10‐[4H‐dithiyeno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pirol‐4‐il]dekan‐1‐amine (DTP–alkyl–NH₂), and 1,10‐bis[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl] decane (DTP–alkyl–DTP) were investigated. The corresponding polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, NMR (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Changes in the electronic nature of the functional groups led to variations in the electrochemical properties of the π‐conjugated systems. The electroactive polymer films revealed redox couples and exhibited electrochromic behavior. The replacement of the DTP–alkyl–DTP unit with DTP–aryl–NH₂ and DTP–alkyl–NH₂ resulted in a lower oxidation potential. Both the poly(10‐(4H‐Dithiyeno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pirol‐4‐il)dekan‐1‐amin) (poly(DTP–alkyl–NH₂)) and poly(1,10‐bis(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐4‐yl) decane) (poly(DTP–alkyl–DTP)) films showed multicolor electrochromism and also fast switching times (<1 s) in the visible and near infrared regions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40701.     

Sensing and surface morphological properties of a poly[(9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐co‐bithiophene] liquid‐crystalline polymer for optoelectronic applications

The sensing properties of a poly[(9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐co‐bithiophene] (F8T2) polymer were investigated at different concentrations and volume percentages. The effects of the concentrations and volume percentages on the sensing parameters were investigated. The sensitivities of F8T2 were found to be 3.190, 1.434, and 0.362 dB/vol % at 290, 580, and 940 nm, respectively. The response of the F8T2 increased with increasing concentration. F8T2 exhibited good sensitivity and response behaviors. Then, the optical parameters based on the refractive indices of the F8T2 at different molarities were calculated. The dispersion energy, moment of the dielectric constant optical spectrum (M_?1, M_?3), oscillator strength, and contrast of the F8T2 increased with increasing molarity, whereas the average excitation energy or single‐oscillator energy decreased with increasing molarity. The surface morphological properties of the F8T2 polymer film were investigated, and the roughness parameters were obtained. The F8T2 polymer could be used in the fabrication of various sensors because of the good solubility, sensitivity, and response behaviors. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41659.     

Synthesis,chemical, and thermoelectric properties of n‐type π‐conjugated polymer composed of 1,2,4‐triazole and pyridine rings and its metal complexes

A soluble n‐type π‐conjugated polymer ( polymer 1 ) composed of a 1,2,4‐triazole ring substituted by a 4‐n‐octylphenyl subunit at the 4‐position of the 1,2,4‐triazole ring and pyridine‐2,5‐diyl rings was synthesized by Ni(cod)₂ (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) promoted dehalogenation polycondensation of 3,5‐bis(2‐bromopyridyl)‐4‐n‐octylphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole ( monomer 1 ). A polymer complex ( polymer‐BiCl₃ ) was synthesized by the reaction of polymer 1 with BiCl₃. The UV–vis spectrum of polymer 1 exhibited an absorption maximum (λ_max value) at a longer wavelength than that exhibited by monomer 1 revealing that its π‐conjugation system was expanded along the polymer chain. Polymer 1 was electrochemically active in film, and the electrochemical reaction was accompanied with electrochromism. Thermoelectoric properties of polymer 1 and polymer‐BiCl₃ were investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39928.     

Donor copolymer with benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and quinoxaline derivative segments for photovoltaic applications

A donor copolymer Poly{2,6‐4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐5,8‐2,3‐bis(5‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)quinoxaline} (PBDTThQx) with benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and quinoxaline derivatives was synthesized and characterized with NMR, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, and cyclic voltammetry. Photovoltaic devices with the configuration indium tin oxide–poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrene sulfonate)–PBDTThQx–[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM)–LiF–Al were fabricated, in which PBDTThQx performed as the electron donor and PC₆₁BM was the electron acceptor in the active layer. The device presented reasonable photovoltaic properties when the weight ratio of PBDTThQx:PC₆₁BM reached 1:3. The open‐circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency were gauged to be 0.75 V, 0.59, and 0.74%, respectively. The experimental data implied that PBDTThQx would be a promising donor candidate in the application of polymer solar cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40279.     

The electropolymerization of several poly(3‐methylthiophene) films in the same used solution and its consequence in their properties

The effect of the electropolymerization of seven poly(3‐methylthiophene) (P3MT) films in the same used monomer solution have been investigated. Cyclic voltammetry, UV‐visible, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance measurements were carried out to understand the effect of the solution reusing on the polymer electrochemical properties. The obtained results show that, as the solution is reused, the polymerization rate increase and the charge in of the cyclic voltammetry decrease. Besides, there are important changes in the sample's morphologies, with the increase of the synthesis number, the amount of fibers increase and this leads to lower the conductivity of the polymer film. In agreement to this, the impedance data analysis shown important changes in the interfacial electronic parameters, i.e., changer transfer resistance and double‐layer capacitance, used to describe the films. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44368.     

Using water‐soluble nickel acetate as hole collection layer for stable polymer solar cells

We report polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) using water‐soluble nickel acetate (Ni(CH₃COO)₂, NiAc) instead of acidic poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) : poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) as hole collection layer (HCL) between the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and photoactive layer. The NiAc layer can effectively decrease R_s and increase R_p and shows effective hole collection property. Under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm², the short‐circuit current density (J_sc) of the NiAc based device (ITO/NiAc/P3HT : PCBM/Ca/Al) reach 11.36 mA/cm², which is increased by 11% in comparison with that (10.19 mA/cm²) of PEDOT : PSS based device (ITO/PEDOT : PSS/P3HT : PCBM/Ca/Al). The power conversion efficiency of the NiAc based devices reach 3.76%, which is comparable to that (3.77%) of the device with PEDOT : PSS HCL under the same experimental conditions. Moreover, NiAc based PSCs show superior long‐term stability than PEDOT : PSS based PSCs. Our work gives a new option for HCL selection in designing more stable PSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Variable‐emittance infrared electrochromic skins combining unique conducting polymers,ionic liquid electrolytes,microporous polymer membranes,and semiconductor/polymer coatings,for spacecraft thermal control

Variable emittance (ε) is a property vital for the increasing needs in thermal control of future microspacecraft. This article describes fabrication, function, and performance of thin‐film, flexible, variable‐emittance (V‐E) electrochromic skins that use a conducting polymer/‐Au/‐microporous membrane (CP/Au/µP) base, and a new, unique ionic liquid electrolyte (IonEl). Poly(aniline‐co‐diphenyl amine) with a long‐chain polymeric dopant is used as the CP. A unique, patented device design yields no barrier between the active, electrochromic CP surface and the external environment, except for a thin, infrared‐transparent semiconductor/polymer film that lowers solar absorptance [α(s)] and protects from atomic‐O/far‐UV. Use of the IonEl requires special activation methods. Data presented show tailorable ε variations from 0.19 to 0.90, Δε values of >0.50 (which is the highest reported thus far for any functional V‐E material, to our knowledge), α(s) < 0.35, and nearly indefinite cyclability. Extended space durability testing, including calorimetric thermal vacuum and continuous light/dark cycling over >7 months under space conditions (<10^?5 Pa vacuum, far‐UV), show excellent durability. Other data show resistance to solar wind, atomic‐O, electrostatic discharge, and micrometeoroids. These lightweight, inexpensive, advanced polymeric materials represent the only technology that can work with micro‐ (<20 kg) and nano‐ (<2 kg) spacecraft, thus eventually allowing for much greater flexibility in their design and potentially “democratizing” the entire space industry, for example, allowing small firms to launch their own, dedicated satellites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40850.     

Controlled dispersion of a porphyrin/fullerene donor‐acceptor complex in semiconducting polymer thin films: Intermolecular interactions of polymers with porphyrin and fullerene

Thin films composed of semiconducting polymers [poly(2‐vinyl naphthalene), poly(4‐diphenyl aminostyrene), poly(1‐vinyl pyrene), and poly(3‐hexyl thiophene‐2,5‐diyl)], zinc(II)?5,10,15,20‐tetra‐(2‐naphthyl)porphyrin, and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester blends were prepared to investigate the controlled dispersion of porphyrin molecules in semiconducting polymer thin films. Tailoring the intermolecular interactions between the polymer/fullerene, polymer/porphyrin, and porphyrin/fullerene systems was found to be an effective method of controlling the dispersion. When the polymer/porphyrin interactions were enhanced, intermixed porphyrin/fullerene donor–acceptor complex domains were formed, whereas under conditions where the polymer/porphyrin interactions were weakened, the complex assembled at the borders between the polymer and fullerene phases. This concept could potentially be applied to various combinations of porphyrin/fullerene systems in semiconducting polymer thin films to develop polymer solar cells with excellent performance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41629.     

Synthesis and characterization of a ferrocene‐modified,polyaniline‐like conducting polymer

A novel monomer called 1,1′‐ferrocenediacyl anilide (FcA) was synthesized from ferrocene (Fc). Copolymerization was carried out between FcA and aniline (ANI) by an electrochemical method. The novel monomer and copolymer were characterized with ¹H‐NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The hydrogen protons of the benzene ring were moved to a low field in ¹H‐NMR, and the absorption band of N?Q?N (where Q is the quinoid ring) appeared in the FTIR spectrum of the polymer. The peaks of both Fc and the π–π* electronic transition in the UV–vis spectra were redshifted. The results indicate that the copolymer mainly existed as a highly delocalized conjugated system. X‐ray diffraction analysis established further proof, and the process of electrochemical deposition was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The optimal synthesis conditions of the copolymer were determined through changes in the monomer molar ratios and the scan rate. The ideal performance of the copolymer was gained when the monomer molar ratio between FcA and ANI was 1:4 and the scan rate was 50 mV/s. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances were tested in detail by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the specific capacitance of poly(1,1′‐ferrocenediacyl anilide‐co‐aniline) increased up to 433.1 F/g at 0.5 A/g, the diffusion resistance was very small, and the durability was good enough. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43217.