Open-shell Poly(3,4-dioxythiophene) Radical for Highly Efficient Photothermal Conversion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Open-shell organic radical semiconductors offer unique properties but suffer from poor stability.
• High reactivity with oxygen limits their practical applications in ambient conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel, stable open-shell organic radical polymer.
• To investigate its photothermal conversion properties and potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of PTTO2 via BBr3-demethylation of PTTOMe2 precursor.
• Characterization of open-shell character using 1H NMR, ESR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy.
• Evaluation of photothermal conversion efficiency under irradiation.

Main Results:

• PTTO2 was successfully synthesized with confirmed open-shell radical character.
• PTTO2 exhibits ultra-wide absorption from 300 to 2500 nm.
• The material reached 274°C under irradiation, significantly outperforming the precursor.

Conclusions:

• PTTO2 is a highly stable, low-cost open-shell organic radical polymer.
• It demonstrates exceptional photothermal conversion capabilities, among the best for pure organic materials.
• PTTO2 provides a new platform for designing stable, non-doped open-shell polymers.