Polybenzobisazoles were initially synthesized as high performance materials. As a result of their rigid conjugated backbone these materials posses excellent thermal and oxidative stability and can be spun into high tensile strength fibers. At the same time, polybenzobisazoles are also ideally suited for diverse organic semiconducting applications, but have found limited utility due their lack of solubility in organic solvents. Typically, benzobisazoles are synthesized via condensation reactions, in acidic mediums at high temperatures, preventing structural modification. Recently we developed a mild approach for the synthesis of functional benzobisazoles resulting in a new generation of solution processable polybenzobisazoles. The optical electronic and physical properties of these polymers will be presented.

Past, present and future of polybenzobisazoles

247th National Meeting (2014)

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