Synthesis of Polymers with Electro-optical Properties

Raúl O Garay

doi:10.3390/50300304

Abstract

R.O. GarayINIQO. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Avenida Alem 1253. (8000) Bahia Blanca, ArgentinaE-mail: rgaray@criba.edu.arThe electro-optical properties of organic and polymeric materials are regarded as holding potentialfor developments in charge storage, analytical sensors, electroluminescent devices, optical data proc-essing and integrated optics. For example, nowadays it is clear that sensor sensitivities and specificitycan be increased by using redox polymers [1] or that the parameters characterizing the relative strengthof nonlinear optical, NLO, effects are typically 50 or 100 times greater in organic molecular systemsthan in inorganic dielectric insulators and semiconductors [2].In addition, because of the availability of a enormous variety of organic molecules and of liquidcrystalline oriented films or other ordered environments, the properties of polymeric materials may betailored to optimize other parameters such as anisotropy, mechanical strength, processability, thermalstability, laser damage threshold, etc., while preserving intact the electronic structure responsible forthe electro-optical effects. While the potential for applications is great indeed, the development of ap-propriate electro-optical polymeric materials is a combination of interdisciplinary tasks: (1) synthesisof macromolecules with π-electron systems, (2) control of the molecular morphology and the detailednature of the electronic environment of the medium, and (3) characterization of the polymer materialproperties.Electro-optical PolymersThe key structural feature of almost all the electro-optically active polymers is that they have π-electron systems as building blocks imbedded in its structure. These unsaturated systems can be con-sidered either as chromophores or as electrophores depending on the kind of particles, light or elec-trons, they interact with. While charge uptake can lead to electric conductivity, charge storage or elec-troluminiscence (after ion recombination) [3]; theinteraction with electromagnetic waves givesorigin to photoconductivity, photovoltaic effects,em shielding, NLO effects and so on.Another fundamental structural feature whichdefines the polymer electro-optical properties isthe type of unit linking the π-electron systems[4]. In redox polymers, the active units are

Highlights

The key structural feature of almost all the electro-optically active polymers is that they have πelectron systems as building blocks imbedded in its structure
While charge uptake can lead to electric conductivity, charge storage or elecπ π redox polymer π π conjugated polymer
Poly(N-vinylcarbazole) troluminiscence [3]; the interaction with electromagnetic waves gives origin to photoconductivity, photovoltaic effects, em shielding, NLO effects and so on. Another fundamental structural feature which defines the polymer electro-optical properties is the type of unit linking the π-electron systems [4]

Summary

Introduction

The key structural feature of almost all the electro-optically active polymers is that they have πelectron systems as building blocks imbedded in its structure. Because of the availability of a enormous variety of organic molecules and of liquid crystalline oriented films or other ordered environments, the properties of polymeric materials may be tailored to optimize other parameters such as anisotropy, mechanical strength, processability, thermal stability, laser damage threshold, etc., while preserving intact the electronic structure responsible for the electro-optical effects. While the potential for applications is great the development of appropriate electro-optical polymeric materials is a combination of interdisciplinary tasks: (1) synthesis of macromolecules with π-electron systems, (2) control of the molecular morphology and the detailed nature of the electronic environment of the medium, and (3) characterization of the polymer material properties.

Results

Conclusion