Conducting polyfurans by electropolymerization of oligofurans

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics

Background:

• Polyfurans were historically considered unstable and poorly conductive conjugated polymers.
• Previous research limited the application of polyfurans in electronic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare stable and conducting polyfuran films.
• To investigate the properties of alkyl-substituted polyfurans for potential electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Electropolymerization of alkyl-substituted oligofurans of varying chain lengths.
• Characterization of film conductivity, stability, morphology, and optical properties.
• Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to assess structural and electronic properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved stable polyfuran films with conductivity up to 1 S cm^-1.
• Films exhibited good environmental and electrochemical stability, with smooth morphologies (1-5 nm roughness).
• Demonstrated long conjugation lengths, defined spectroelectrochemistry, electro-optical switching (Vis-NIR), and optical band-gaps of 2.2-2.3 eV.

Conclusions:

• Low oxidation potential for oligofuran polymerization is key to improved polyfuran properties.
• Polyfurans are more rigid than polythiophenes, with alkyl substitution preserving planarity and conjugation.
• Obtained polyfuran properties are comparable or superior to electrochemically prepared poly(oligothiophene)s.