Di-thiafulvalene functionalized phenylene acetylene-polymers for selective dispersion of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)

Abstract

This thesis explores the rational design, synthesis, characterization and applications of conjugated polymers as carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersants. Two Dithiafulvalene (DTF) functionalized Phenylacetylene based polymers were synthesized using Sonogashira cross coupling conditions and Cu-catalyzed homo coupling conditions. DTF unit was introduced by applying “click chemistry” to the side chain of the polymers to form a “centipede-like” macromolecular architecture. The ability of synthesized polymers to disperse SWNTs was tested in various organic solvents using UV-Vis, photoluminescence Raman spectroscopic techniques, and SEM, AFM imaging. Characterization results show, that dispersion is selective for small semiconducting (6,5), (5,6), and (7,6) tubes. Furthermore, Hexane induced SWNTs release experiments were under taken for the reversible dispersion process to attain “dispersant-free” SWNTs. which could be turned into a very useful technique applicable in material preparation and device fabrication where “additive-free” SWNTs are desired after solution-phase processing (e.g., dispersion) in order to maximize electronic and/or optoelectronic performances.