1. Complementary design and examination of p- and n-type conjugated polymers and their evaluation as transport materials
- Author
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Jellett, Cameron Wesley and McCulloch, Iain Andrew
- Subjects
547 - Abstract
Organic thermoelectric technology will enable lightweight, low-cost and flexible power generation modules. For many applications such as low-power sensors and transmitters, "internet of things" applications or wearable technology, the overall efficiency of such devices is less important than the price and form-factor. Organic thermoelectric materials could easily make an impact this exciting expanding area of technology. To realise this, p- and n-type materials that are doped effectively, show high conductivity and power factor and stability over time are required. In this thesis, both categories of materials are explored. Novel design, synthesis and characterisation were employed and future design strategies are outlined. For p-type materials, a model polythiophene system was modified to form a series of increasingly heavy chalcogen-substituted materials. A clear trend showed that as the fraction of heavy atoms increased, the doped conductivity of the polymers increased. These also show promise as thermoelectric materials with excellent conductivities and promising power factors. In addition to this, new n-type OFET polymers synthesised with an acid-catalysed polymerisation that show excellent ambient stability, one of the major challenges facing the area, were optimised to improve mobility and processability. Doping of these materials with n-type dopants was successful and revealed a promising new avenue for the family of materials, showing high conductivity and power factors with the promise of stability.
- Published
- 2019
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