Surface-initiated catalyst transfer polycondensation (SI-CTP) is a chain growth polymerization of conjugated polymers that attaches an initiator to the surface via a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) prior to polymerization. However, removing the grafted polymer from a silica-containing surface like glass requires HF, a highly toxic and corrosive acid. We have designed a new silane containing a functional group that is cleavable under milder conditions. We will present our work to date on our efforts to use this silane to prepare a surface-grafted initiator capable of performing  Kumada CTP to prepare poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) grafted to glass slides and silica nanospheres, as well as our efforts to cleave the P3HT from these surfaces.  The steps of this grafting and cleavage sequence are characterized using contact angle measurement, AFM, SEM/EDX, and NMR. <br/>

Preparation of surface-grafted poly(3-hexylthiophene) brushes using an easily cleavable self-assembled monolayer

255th National Meeting (2018)

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