Highly Stretchable, Solution-processable, and Crosslinkable Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene)-based Conjugated Polymers

Publication date: Available online 15 January 2020Source: European Polymer JournalAuthor(s): Min Wang, Seyoung Kee, David Barker, Jadranka Travas-SejdicAbstractHerein, we designed and synthesised a stretchable, solution-processable and crosslinkable π-conjugated polymer (CP) comprised of functional poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (poly(BA-co-GMA) side chains along a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene) (PEDOT)-based CP backbone. The incorporation of PBA side chains endowed the rigid conjugated backbone with intrinsic softness and adhesiveness as well as superior stretchability of up to 200% strain without formation of cracks. Moreover, the epoxy group-bearing GMA segments enabled the chemical crosslinking between the polymer chains, rendering the resultant polymer films organic solvent-resistant, while still affording 50-fold improved mechanical stretchability in comparison to the brittle non-grafted backbone polymer. This work opens up possibility of developing solution-processable PEDOT analogues for stretchable and wearable electronics applications.Graphical abstractAn intrinsically stretchable, solution-processable and crosslinkable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene)-based conjugated polymer was synthesised.

Source: European Polymer Journal - January 15, 2020 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research