Conjugated Thiophene-Containing Polymer Zwitterions: Direct Synthesis and Thin Film Electronic Properties

From Macromolecules:

Conjugated Thiophene-Containing Polymer Zwitterions: Direct Synthesis and Thin Film Electronic Properties 

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ma302232q

The authors synthesize conjugated polymeric zwitterions (CPZs) and their alkyl counterparts. The polar zwitterionic side chains make the polymers hydrophilic and salt-responsive.

Electronic properties can vary with the zwitterion distance from the conjugated polymer backbone. Closer proximity of the sulfobetaine groups results in increased ionization potential and enlarged band gaps of 2.19 and 2.04 eV for PTSB-1 and PTBTSB-1.

On Au and Ag surfaces, the CPZs alter the work function due to the presence of an interfacial dipole.

Posted by Angela Gao