π-Conjugated polymers that are stretchable and self-healable are required for bioelectronics applications, including e-skin, artificial retinas, and soft robotics. However, they inherently exhibit higher modulus, which limits their stretchable and self-healable nature. Moreover, the π-conjugated polymers, which already have high modulus, should be crosslinked with dynamic bonds to impart inherent self-healing capability to the polymers; the crosslinking may further increase the modulus of the polymer. This is one of the main reasons why reports on inherently self-healable π-conjugated polymers are scarce. Reversibly interacting π-conjugated polymers of lower modulus are needed to generate intrinsically healable materials for bioelectronics applications. A reversible π-conjugated polymer network whose interchain interactions strength is easily tunable is ideal to study and understand the effect of interchain interactions on the modulus of π- conjugated polymer networks. We have synthesized a series of diamines and used them to crosslink polythiophene containing carboxylic pendant chains. The polymer-diamine network morphology depends on the diamine structural parameters. Complexation of polymer with the diamines resulted in soluble complexes, insoluble precipitate, and gels depending on the amine structure. Depending on the amine’s structural parameters some of the complexes are mechanically and thermally reversible in nature. The mechanical properties of gels and films were determined using rheometer and film-on-elastomer method. In this talk, I will discuss the impact of diamine crosslinkers on the optical properties, rheology, assembly, and modulus of polythiophene.

Dynamic pi-Conjugated polymer ionic networks

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