Low temperature solid state processing of pure P3HT fibers

Alexandre Rodrigues,Julio Viana,Deb Nabankur,Loic Hilliou,David G Bucknall,Gabriel Bernardo

doi:10.1063/1.4806764

Alexandre Rodrigues, Julio Viana + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4806764

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Abstract

Fibers of pure poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) of 1 and 2 mm diameter, were produced from solid state processing at temperatures of 200, 150 and 100ºC, i.e. up to more than 100 ºC below the melting point of P3HT (∼240 ºC), using a small device reminiscent with the early stage polymer extrusion machines. The fibers produced by this method are continuous and mechanically robust. WAXS results show that the macromolecular chains of P3HT are preferably oriented along the fiber axis. This study clearly shows, for the first time, that P3HT fibers can be processed without solvents well below the polymer's melting temperature.

Highlights

General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights
This study clearly shows, for the first time, that P3HT fibers can be processed without solvents well below the polymer’s melting temperature
Building on the report of Baklar et al,[15] in this work we present a simple and novel approach for producing pure P3HT fibers without the use of solvents and at temperatures well below the polymer’s melting temperature

Summary

Introduction

General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Low temperature solid state processing of pure P3HT fibers Fibers of pure poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) of 1 and 2 mm diameter, were produced from solid state processing at temperatures of 200, 150 and 100oC, i.e. up to more than 100 oC below the melting point of P3HT (∼240 oC), using a small device reminiscent with the early stage polymer extrusion machines.

Results

Conclusion