Reported herein is a procedure to synthesize conjugated polymers in an undergraduate laboratory setting. This robust procedure does not require a strictly inert atmosphere, which eliminates the requirement for a glovebox that is often impractical in teaching laboratories. Once synthesized, the photophysical properties of the resulting conjugated polymers were measured using a portable and inexpensive Microlab spectrometer. Students were also taught how to fabricate thin films of the conjugated polymers and measure the solid-state fluorescence. A variety of potential applications of the polymers were also discussed.

Synthesis of organic conjugated polymers in an undergraduate teaching laboratory

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.