Conducting Polymer Grafting: Recent and Key Developments.

Nabasmita Maity,Arnab Dawn

doi:10.3390/polym12030709

Abstract

Since the discovery of conductive polyacetylene, conductive electroactive polymers are at the focal point of technology generation and biocommunication materials. The reasons why this research never stops growing, are twofold: first, the demands from the advanced technology towards more sophistication, precision, durability, processability and cost-effectiveness; and second, the shaping of conducting polymer research in accordance with the above demand. One of the major challenges in conducting polymer research is addressing the processability issue without sacrificing the electroactive properties. Therefore, new synthetic designs and use of post-modification techniques become crucial than ever. This quest is not only advancing the field but also giving birth of new hybrid materials integrating merits of multiple functional motifs. The present review article is an attempt to discuss the recent progress in conducting polymer grafting, which is not entirely new, but relatively lesser developed area for this class of polymers to fine-tune their physicochemical properties. Apart from conventional covalent grafting techniques, non-covalent approach, which is relatively new but has worth creation potential, will also be discussed. The aim is to bring together novel molecular designs and strategies to stimulate the existing conducting polymer synthesis methodologies in order to enrich its fascinating chemistry dedicated toward real-life applications.

Highlights

Conducting polymers are considered as the fourth generation of polymeric materials
The physicochemical properties inherited from typical polymeric materials combined with the fascinating electrical conductivity approaching metals in cases, brought this class of materials in the focal point of scientific research towards energy applications for decades [1,2,3,4,5,6]
This review aims to bring together the the novel novel strategies strategies built built around around conducting conducting polymer grafting to stimulate the real-life applications of this class of materials

Summary

Introduction

Conducting polymers are considered as the fourth generation of polymeric materials. The physicochemical properties inherited from typical polymeric materials combined with the fascinating electrical conductivity approaching metals in cases, brought this class of materials in the focal point of scientific research towards energy applications for decades [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Engineering chemical structure by keeping the polymeric backbone intact is a for fine-tuning the conducting polymer physicochemical properties. The side chains in conjugated well-established strategy for fine-tuning the conducting polymer physicochemical properties. Grafting of conducting polymer is important, as it does not alter the other hand is an old and classical approach; this strategy with conducting polymer is still extended conjugated structure in the main chain, is capable of introducing and integrating the new and under development. Grafting can potentially compensate and improve the properties not alter the extended conjugated structure in the main chain, is capable of introducing and of the conducting polymers beyond its charge transport, and it could be more associated with integrating the properties from the grafted materials.

Covalent Grafting of Conducting Polymers

Synthesis

Non-Covalent Grafting of Conducting Polymers

Outlook