Disulfide Electrochromic Monomers for Tunable Conductive Polymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating functionalized polymers that can be processed into various forms like fibers or films lack effective design and incorporation of buildable modules to adjust properties such as reactivity, hydrophobicity, and thermal stability, and interact well with solid substrates and biological systems.
Innovation Solution
A disulfide-containing electrochromic monomer and its reduced or derivative forms are synthesized through specific reactions with sulfur-containing compounds in polar solvents, which are then polymerized or crosslinked to produce polymers with enhanced electrochemical properties and functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods are used to create functionalized polymers, then basic polymer properties can be achieved, but the ability to adjust reactivity, hydrophobicity, rigidity, thermal stability, and solvent resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polymer system into modular components: a core polymer backbone and separate functional modules (disulfide-containing monomers with various R1 and R2 hydrocarbyl groups). These modules can be independently designed and combined to achieve desired properties like reactivity, hydrophobicity, and thermal stability without redesigning the entire polymer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The disulfide-containing monomer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural backbone elements, introduces tunable hydrophobicity through different R groups, enables crosslinking functionality through disulfide bonds, and offers sites for further functionalization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If functional modules are incorporated to improve polymer interactions with solid substrates and biological systems, then interaction capability is enhanced, but the ease of processing into fibers or films is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces functional groups at specific locations on the polymer chain (through R1 and R2 substituents on the disulfide-containing monomer) rather than uniformly throughout. This allows localized interaction capabilities with substrates or biological systems while maintaining the bulk polymer's processability into fibers or films.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables tuning of polymer properties by changing parameters such as the type of hydrocarbyl groups (R1 and R2), the degree of functionalization, and crosslinking density. These parameter adjustments allow optimization of both interaction capabilities and processability without fundamental redesign.
3Reliability
If disulfide-containing monomers are synthesized through nucleophilic substitution reactions with sulfur-containing compounds, then electrochemical properties are improved, but the synthesis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-synthesized disulfide-containing monomers with defined structures before polymerization. This preliminary preparation of monomers with exact desired functionality simplifies the overall synthesis process compared to attempting to introduce disulfide groups after polymer formation, while ensuring consistent electrochemical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs polar solvents as intermediaries to facilitate the nucleophilic substitution reactions between monomers and sulfur-containing compounds. These solvents mediate the reaction conditions to achieve high yields of disulfide-containing monomers with controlled purity, simplifying downstream processing.
4Reliability
If polymers are crosslinked to enhance stability and electrical conductivity, then electrochromic performance is improved, but the flexibility and processability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial crosslinking through the disulfide-containing monomers rather than complete crosslinking. This partial action maintains sufficient electrical conductivity and electrochromic performance while preserving enough chain mobility and flexibility for processing into fibers or films, avoiding the brittleness of fully crosslinked systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting polymers exhibit improved electrochemical properties, including high electrical conductivity and electrochromic performance, with the ability to be processed into thin films and modified for tailored interactions and stability, suitable for applications in devices like electrochromic devices, photovoltaics, and batteries.
Implementation Method 1
conducting a reduction of the disulfide-containing monomer of formula 1 with at least one reducing agent to form monomer of the formula 2
Implementation Method 2
the at least one monomer of the formula 1, the formula 2, or the formula 3 is incorporated to another monomer or a polymer under a polymerization reaction
Implementation Method 3
the at least one monomer of the formula 1, the formula 2, or the formula 3 is incorporated to another monomer or a polymer under a crosslinking reaction
Implementation Method 4
The present disclosure presents a disulfide-containing electrochromic monomer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure presents a disulfide containing monomer, its reduced form, its derivative, the synthesis method of this disulfide containing monomer, and the polymer containing the monomers disclosed thereof