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Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 35183

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Dr. Patrycja Bober

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Guest Editor

Department of Conducting Polymers, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 16206 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: conducting polymers; composites; sensors; energy storage and conversion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jiří Pfleger

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Guest Editor

Department of Polymers for Electronics and Photonics, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: organic semiconductors; organic memristors; optical and electrical phenomena in polymers; transient optical spectroscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the pioneering discovery of semiconducting properties of polyacetylene, the family of π-conjugated polymers has grown dramatically, now covering a large scale from semiconductors to highly conducting materials, with low bandgap, high charge mobility and good doping capability. Conducting polymers, polyelectrolytes, and their composites with organic or inorganic fillers are promising materials for applications in energy conversion and storage, sensors, organic electronics, and photovoltaics. They also possess the ability to respond to external stimuli by changing their optical, electrical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Such polymers represent a unique class of conducting and responsive materials which bring a benefit of easy processing, suitable even for large-scale and costly printing manufacturing technologies.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight recent developments in basic and applied research on conducting polymers. The topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Synthesis of polymer conductors and semiconductors, solid polyelectrolytes, and composites with various functional fillers;
New physical phenomena and advanced physicochemical characterization of new conducting materials and composites;
Application in energy storage, batteries, capacitors, sensors, and electronic devices.

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Patrycja Bober
Dr. Jiří Pfleger
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

conducting polymers
electroactive polymers
polyelectrolytes
composites
energy storage
batteries
supercapacitors
sensors
organic electronics
organic photovoltaics

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 16151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Layers of Donor-Acceptor Copolymers with Homogenous Silver Nanoparticle Coverage for Photonic Applications

by Věra Cimrová, Sangwon Eom, Veronika Pokorná, Youngjong Kang and Drahomír Výprachtický

Polymers 2021, 13(3), 439; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13030439 - 29 Jan 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1888

Abstract

Hybrid layers of donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers containing N,N′-dialkylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxydiimide electron-acceptor units covered with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were prepared by electrochemical doping of pristine layers during reduction processes. In situ optical absorption spectra of the layers were recorded during the formation of Ag-NP coverage. The hybrid layers were characterized by absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In the absorption spectra of the hybrid layers, a surface plasmon band characteristic of Ag-NPs appeared. Significant improvements in light absorption due to the plasmonic effects of Ag NPs were observed. Stable Ag-NPs with an average diameter of 41–63 nm were formed on the surface, as proven by SEM and XPS. The Ag-NP coverage and size depended on the hybrid layer preparation conditions and on the copolymer composition. The metallic character of the Ag-NPs was proven by XPS. The location in the surface layer was further confirmed by EDX analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on such hybrid layers having the potential for a variety of photonic and electronic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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16 pages, 6291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Iron (II) Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers Based on Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene for Electrochromic Applications

by Andrei Chernyshev, Udit Acharya, Jiří Pfleger, Olga Trhlíková, Jiří Zedník and Jiří Vohlídal

Polymers 2021, 13(3), 362; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13030362 - 23 Jan 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4271

Abstract

Four new bis(tpy) unimers with different linkers between the thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl central unit and terpyridine-4′-yl (tpy) end-groups: no linker (Tt), ethynediyl (TtE), 1,4-phenylene (TtPh) and 2,2′-bithophene-5,5′-diyl (TtB) are prepared, characterized, and assembled with Fe²⁺ ions to metallo-supramolecular polymers (Fe-MSPs). The Fe-MSP films prepared by spin-casting on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/vis spectroscopy and studied for their electrochromism and effect of the unimer structure on their electrochromic performance. Of the studied MSPs, Fe-Tt shows the highest optical contrast as well as coloration efficiency (CE = 641 cm² C⁻¹) and the fastest optical response. This makes it an excellent candidate for possible use in electrochromic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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16 pages, 4786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inkjet Printing of an Electron Injection Layer: New Role of Cesium Carbonate Interlayer in Polymer OLEDs

by Amruth C, Beata Luszczynska, Wassima Rekab, Marek Zdzislaw Szymanski and Jacek Ulanski

Polymers 2021, 13(1), 80; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13010080 - 28 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3925

Abstract

Among solution-processable techniques, inkjet printing is a potential method for manufacturing low-cost and high-resolution polymer organic light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) for displays/solid-state lighting applications. Herein, we demonstrate use of the inkjet printed cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃) film as an electron injection interlayer. We have elaborated the Cs₂CO₃ ink using an alcohol-based solvent for the industrial-grade printhead. The printed Cs₂CO₃ layer morphology was investigated by means of an optical microscope and an atomic force microscope. The PLEDs based on emissive polymer (Super Yellow) with printed Cs₂CO₃ interlayer show a remarkable current efficiency and luminance compared to the PLEDs made without the Cs₂CO₃ layer. Such results suggest that the Cs₂CO₃ is a promising material for the formulation of the electron injecting inkjet inks. The possibility of inkjet printing of an efficient electron injecting layer enables in situ patterning of PLEDs’ emission area. Such a simple and flexible technique can be applied for a wide range of applications such as signage, pictograms, advertising, smart packaging, etc. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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13 pages, 4177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Switching from Electron to Hole Transport in Solution-Processed Organic Blend Field-Effect Transistors

by Julia Fidyk, Witold Waliszewski, Piotr Sleczkowski, Adam Kiersnowski, Wojciech Pisula and Tomasz Marszalek

Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2662; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12112662 - 11 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3031

Abstract

Organic electronics became an attractive alternative for practical applications in complementary logic circuits due to the unique features of organic semiconductors such as solution processability and ease of large-area manufacturing. Bulk heterojunctions (BHJ), consisting of a blend of two organic semiconductors of different electronic affinities, allow fabrication of a broad range of devices such as light-emitting transistors, light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, photodetectors, ambipolar transistors and sensors. In this work, the charge carrier transport of BHJ films in field-effect transistors is switched from electron to hole domination upon processing and post-treatment. Low molecular weight n-type N,N′-bis(n-octyl)-(1,7&1,6)-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI8-CN₂) was blended with p-type poly[2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophene-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene] (PBTTT-C₁₄) and deposited by spin-coating to form BHJ films. Systematic investigation of the role of rotation speed, solution temperature, and thermal annealing on thin film morphology was performed using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering. It has been determined that upon thermal annealing the BHJ morphology is modified from small interconnected PDI8-CN₂ crystals uniformly distributed in the polymer fraction to large planar PDI8-CN2 crystal domains on top of the blend film, leading to the switch from electron to hole transport in field-effect transistors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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16 pages, 2004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of PAMAM Dendrimers on Interactions and Transport of LiTFSI and NaTFSI in Propylene Carbonate-Based Electrolytes

by Rafał Konefał, Zuzana Morávková, Bartosz Paruzel, Vitalii Patsula, Sabina Abbrent, Kosma Szutkowski and Stefan Jurga

Polymers 2020, 12(7), 1595; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12071595 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3670

Abstract

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)-based electrolytes are prepared by dissolving the PAMAM half-generations G1.5 or G2.5 in propylene carbonate (PC), either with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) or sodium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI) salts. The solutions, designed for ion battery applications, are studied in terms of ions transport properties. Raman Spectroscopy reveals information about the interactions between cations and PAMAM dendrimers as well as full dissociation of the salts in all solutions. Pulsed-field gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (PFG NMR), measured as a function of both temperature and PAMAM concentration, are obtained for the cation, anion, solvent, and dendrimer molecules using lithium (⁷Li), sodium (²³Na), fluorine (¹⁹F), and hydrogen (¹H) NMR, respectively. It was found that lithium diffusion is slow compared to the larger TFSI anion and decreases with PAMAM concentration due to interactions between cation and dendrimer. Comparison of conductivities calculated from diffusion coefficients using the Nernst–Einstein equation, with conductivity measurements obtained from Impedance Spectroscopy (IS), shows slightly higher IS conductivities, caused among others by PAMAM conductivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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32 pages, 14495 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Carbon Nanofiber Composite Materials Containing Lanthanides and Transition Metals Based on Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile for High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Cathodes

by Igor I. Ponomarev, Kirill M. Skupov, Olga M. Zhigalina, Alexander V. Naumkin, Alexander D. Modestov, Victoria G. Basu, Alena E. Sufiyanova, Dmitry Y. Razorenov and Ivan I. Ponomarev

Polymers 2020, 12(6), 1340; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12061340 - 13 Jun 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3176

Abstract

Electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile/DMF dopes containing salts of nickel, cobalt, zirconium, cerium, gadolinium, and samarium, makes it possible to obtain precursor nanofiber mats which can be subsequently converted into carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites by pyrolysis at 1000–1200 °C. Inorganic additives were found to be uniformly distributed in CNFs. Metal states were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). According to XPS in CNF/Zr/Ni/Gd composites pyrolyzed at 1000 °C, nickel exists as Ni⁰ and as Ni²⁺, gadolinium as Gd³⁺, and zirconium as Zr⁴⁺. If CNF/Zr/Ni/Gd is pyrolyzed at 1200 °C, nickel exists only as Ni⁰. For CNF/Sm/Co composite, samarium is in Sm³⁺ form when cobalt is not found on a surface. For CNF/Zr/Ni/Ce composite, cerium exists both as Ce⁴⁺ and as Ce³⁺. Composite CNF mats were platinized and tested as cathodes in high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC). Such approach allows to introduce Pt–M and Pt–MO_x into CNF, which are more durable compared to carbon black under HT-PEMFC operation. For CNF/Zr/Ni/Gd composite cathode, higher performance in the HT-PEMFC at I >1.2 A cm^-2 is achieved due to elimination of mass transfer losses in gas-diffusion electrode compared to commercial Celtec^®P1000. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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13 pages, 4047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemically-Obtained Polysulfonic-Acids Doped Polyaniline Films—A Comparative Study by Electrochemical, Microgravimetric and XPS Methods

by Vladimir Lyutov, Varvara Kabanova, Oxana Gribkova, Alexander Nekrasov and Vessela Tsakova

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1050; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12051050 - 03 May 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2897

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) layers are electrochemically obtained in the presence of four polysulfonic acids with different rigidities of the polymer backbone-iso-(and tere-)poly-(4,4′-(2,2′-disulfonic acid)-diphenylene-iso(tere)-phthalamide (i-PASA and t-PASA), polystyrenesulfonic acid (PSSA) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPSA). Combined microgravimetric (EQCM) and electrochemical measurements are carried out in the course of polymerization and repetitive redox switching. It is found that after synthesis PASA-doped PANIs shows good stability with low exchange of mass in the course of voltammetric scans, while PAMPSA-doped PANI contains a large amount of water that gradually becomes expelled in the repetitive redox switching. PANI obtained in the presence of PSSA takes an intermediate position with respect to mass exchanged in the electrochemical redox process. XPS studies are used to obtain data for the extent of doping of the different PANI materials. The results show high doping level (about 0.5) for PASA- and PAMPSA- and lower level (0.32) for PSSA-doped PANI layers. Repeated electrochemical studies carried out with the specimens investigated by XPS after long-term storage in the dry state give evidence for structural rearrangement, perfect recuperation of the initial electrochemical activity and high stability of the electrochemical response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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11 pages, 2600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Materials Derived from Poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine) Cryogels

by Konstantin A. Milakin, Nemanja Gavrilov, Igor A. Pašti, Miroslava Trchová, Beata A. Zasońska, Jaroslav Stejskal and Patrycja Bober

Polymers 2020, 12(1), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12010011 - 19 Dec 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing carbon derivatives were prepared by the carbonization of poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine) cryogels in inert atmosphere. Lower aniline fraction in the comonomer mixture used for preparation of the cryogels led to the decrease of their thermal stability, a consequent increase of carbonization degree, and less defective structure of carbonized materials. The resulting carbonaceous products had up to 4 orders of magnitude higher specific surface area than their respective cryogel precursors, the highest value 931 m² g⁻¹ being achieved for carbonized poly(p-phenylenediamine) cryogel. Electrochemical characterization of the carbon derivatives demonstrated that the decrease in aniline concentration during the synthesis of the precursor cryogels led to higher gravimetric capacitance for corresponding carbonized materials. These materials can potentially be used for energy storage applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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16 pages, 2976 KiB

Open AccessReview

Composites and Copolymers Containing Redox-Active Molecules and Intrinsically Conducting Polymers as Active Masses for Supercapacitor Electrodes—An Introduction

by Rudolf Holze

Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1835; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12081835 - 16 Aug 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3736

Abstract

In this introductory report, composites and copolymers combining intrinsically conducting polymers and redox-active organic molecules, suggested as active masses without additional binder and conducting agents for supercapacitor electrodes, possibly using the advantageous properties of both constituents, are presented. A brief overview of the few reported examples of the use of such copolymers, composites, and comparable combinations of organic molecules and carbon supports is given. For comparison a few related reports on similar materials without intrinsically conducting polymers are included. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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27 pages, 3434 KiB

Open AccessReview

Functional Polymers Structures for (Bio)Sensing Application—A Review

by Kamila Spychalska, Dorota Zając, Sylwia Baluta, Kinga Halicka and Joanna Cabaj

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1154; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12051154 - 18 May 2020

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 5124

Abstract

In this review we present polymeric materials for (bio)sensor technology development. We focused on conductive polymers (conjugated microporous polymer, polymer gels), composites, molecularly imprinted polymers and their influence on the design and fabrication of bio(sensors), which in the future could act as lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices. LOC instruments enable us to perform a wide range of analysis away from the stationary laboratory. Characterized polymeric species represent promising candidates in biosensor or sensor technology for LOC development, not only for manufacturing these devices, but also as a surface for biologically active materials’ immobilization. The presence of biological compounds can improve the sensitivity and selectivity of analytical tools, which in the case of medical diagnostics is extremely important. The described materials are biocompatible, cost-effective, flexible and are an excellent platform for the anchoring of specific compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers for Energy, Electronics and Sensing)

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