We have focused on aliphatic polymers bearing organic robust radicals as pendant groups per repeating unit. The radical polymers are characterized by an ultimate population of unpaired electrons, which allows efficient redox-driven electron transport throughout the polymer layer. The high electron-transport reactivity provides very fast charge-propagation and reversible charge-storage in a rechargeable battery. A pair of two radical polymers with different redox potentials are used as a cathode- and an anode-active material in this organic battery. We are also fabricating dye-sensitized photovoltaic cells to replace the iodine-containing electrolyte and/or the titanium oxide semiconductor in Graetzel-type one with the radical polymer layers for charge-separation and -transport in the cell. The cells displayed significantly high open-circuit voltage of almost 1 V.  Radical polymers are emerging as a new class of electroactive materials useful for various kinds of wet-type energy storage and conversion devices.

Radical polymers toward an organic-based rechargeable battery and photovoltaic cell

246th National Meeting (2013)

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