The discovery of conducting and semiconducting polymers has opened the possibility to produce integrated circuits entirely of plastic with standard continuous printing techniques. Nowadays several of this polymers are commercial available, however the performances of this materials are strongly affected by their supramolecular order achieved after deposition. In this research, the influence of some standard printing techniques on the electrical performances of conjugated polymers is evidenced in order to realise logic devices with these materials.

Poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) ( -conjugated polymer) was prepared as an insoluble polymer network via chain coordination polymerization of 1,4-diethynylbezene catalyzed with [Rh(NBD)acac] complex. Thermodynamic properties and acid-base characteristics of the prepared poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) were studied by means of Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) in the temperature range 80-100 řC. Retention data of selected testing substances were used to determine the Gibbs energy of sorption, the sorption enthalpy and their acid-base and disperse parts as well as the disperse contribution to the surface energy and parameters of KA, KD, ANHPS and DNHPS quantifying the acid-base character of the studied polymer. The results showed that poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) interacted more efficiently with Lewis bases than with Lewis acids. The values of experimental sorption enthalpy were used for the determination of the parameters KA and KD. Values of these parameters classify poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) as the material with a slightly acid character. This conclusion is further supported by the results of H. P. Schreiber method based on the application of ANHPS and DNHPS parameters for the evaluation of the acid-base properties of the material. The infrared spectroscopy proved that poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) contained...

<p> In an era of advancing printed electronics, solution-processable organic semiconductors continue to make significant strides in electronic and optoelectronic applications. Electrochromic (EC) technology, which encompass reversible optical modulation under electrochemical biasing, has progressed rapidly over the past half-century and developed into niche commercial-scale devices for auto-tinting glasses as well as low-power, non-emissive displays. To utilize the advantages of organic electrochromic materials in next-generation devices, it is imperative to understand their fundamental material properties, interactions with other device components, and the underlying electrochemistry that governs the overall optical and electrochemical response of the complete electrochromic device. This dissertation presents a discussion on the synergistic role of organic electrochromes, charge-balancing layers and electrolytes in determining two key performance metrics, namely the optical contrast and operational stability, of an electrochromic device (ECD). The absorption features of colored-to-transmissive switching conjugated polymers have been investigated by exploring material design strategies in conjunction with analytical approaches to optimize and enhance the optical contrast. In parallel, transmissive redox-active radical polymer counter electrodes have been developed as compatible charge-balancing layers and integrated into devices by pairing with electrochromic polymers (ECPs) to achieve stable and high-contrast optical modulation. Electrochemical activity of both conjugated and radical polymer electrodes in different ionic and solvent environments have been further examined to understand material-electrolyte interactions governing mixed ionic-electronic conduction. Finally, a small molecular approach to realizing transparent-to-colored electrochromism is discussed, where distinct substituent-induced degradation pathways of conjugated radical cations were revealed. Overall, this research aims to assist future development of robust, ultra-high contrast organic electrochromic platforms.  </p>

Les polymères conjugués semi-conducteurs sont des matériaux prometteurs pour des applications en optoélectronique et pour la fabrication de dispositifs de conversion d'énergie flexibles. Ils sont toutefois difficilement mis en forme en raison de la rigidité de leur structure. Le poly(3-hexylthiophène) (P3HT) est souvent utilisé comme polymère conjugué organique modèle. Sa mise en forme et ses propriétés peuvent être optimisées en l'incorporant dans une matrice polymère et en favorisant l’orientation moléculaire de ses chaînes. Cette orientation peut être induite dans un matériau lors de sa mise en forme, notamment lors de la préparation de fibres par électrofilage. Le projet vise à préparer des matériaux optimisant l'orientation du P3HT et à développer des outils pour caractériser l'organisation moléculaire du P3HT dans ces matériaux. Plus spécifiquement, la première étude consiste à comprendre l'effet de la matrice polymère sur le comportement du P3HT dans des nanofibres électrofilées. Celles-ci sont préparées en mélangeant le P3HT à une matrice polymère amorphe de poly(méthacrylate de méthyle) (PMMA) atactique ou fortement cristalline de poly(oxyde d'éthylène) (POE), et l’orientation des chaînes de P3HT est mesurée par spectroscopie Raman. Les résultats montrent que la capacité du POE à cristalliser, contrairement au PMMA, contraint les chaînes du P3HT à s'orienter le long de l’axe de la fibre, ce qui devrait améliorer ses propriétés de transport de charge. La calorimétrie différentielle à balayage et la microscopie optique et électronique à balayage permettent respectivement d'analyser les propriétés thermiques et d'imager la morphologie des nanomatériaux. La seconde étude est de développer une approche pour identifier la transition vitreuse du P3HT dans des nanofibres électrofilées et des impressions 3D composées d’un mélange P3HT-POE. Nous suivons alors l'évolution de l’état d'agrégation du P3HT par spectroscopie de fluorescence et le déplacement de sa bande Raman associée au mode d’élongation C=C sur une gamme de températures afin d'observer sa transition de phase vitreuse à l'échelle du nanoobjet individuel. Une preuve de concept est réalisée par des analyses sur des films minces à base de P3HT pour ensuite analyser les échantillons d’intérêt. Les résultats de spectroscopie Raman et de fluorescence sur les nanomatériaux de P3HT sont comparés aux analyses DSC sur les matériaux macroscopiques. Le projet améliorera d'une part notre capacité à caractériser les nanomatériaux de P3HT et, d'autre part, à en optimiser les propriétés. De manière plus générale, nos résultats conduiront à terme à une meilleure compréhension des relations structure-mise en forme-propriété-fonction des polymères conjugués, contribuant à la préparation de nouveaux matériaux électroniques organiques plus performants. / Conjugated polymers are promising semiconducting materials for applications in flexible optoelectronic and energy conversion devices. However, they are difficult to process because of the rigidity of their polymer backbone. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is often used as a model organic conjugated polymer. Its processing and its properties can be improved by incorporating it into a polymer matrix and by favoring the molecular orientation of its chains. This orientation can be induced in a material during its processing, notably during the preparation of fibers by electrospinning. The project aims to prepare materials optimizing the orientation of P3HT and to develop tools to characterize the molecular organization of P3HT in these materials. More specifically, the first study consists of understanding the effect of the polymer matrix on the behaviour of P3HT in electrospun nanofibers. These nanofibers are prepared by mixing P3HT with an amorphous atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or highly crystalline poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer matrix, and the orientation of the P3HT chains is measured by Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the capability of POE to crystallize, unlike PMMA, constrains the chains of P3HT to orient themselves along the fiber axis, which could improve its charge transport properties. Differential scanning calorimetry and optical and scanning electron microscopy make it possible, respectively, to analyze the thermal properties and to image the morphology of the nanomaterials. The second study is to develop an approach to identify the glass transition temperature of P3HT in electrospun nanofibers and 3D prints composed of a P3HT-PEO blend. We then follow the evolution of the aggregation state of P3HT by fluorescence spectroscopy and the shift of the Raman band associated with the C=C elongation mode over a range of temperatures to observe its glass transition temperature at the scale of the individual nanoobject. A proof of concept is first realized by carrying out analyses on thin films based on P3HT, followed by the analysis of the samples of interest. Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy results on P3HT-containing nanomaterials are compared to DSC analyses on macroscopic materials. The project will improve our ability to characterize P3HT nanomaterials and to optimize their properties. More generally, our results will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the structure-processing-property-function relationships of conjugated polymers, contributing to the preparation of new, more efficient organic electronic materials.

Neste trabalho foram sintetizados a poli-2-etinilpiridina (P2EP), poli-4etinilpiridina (P4EP), o iodeto de poli(2-N-t-butilpiridiniumilacetileno) (P2EPtBu) e a poli-&#946;-etinilnaftaleno (P&#946:EN), os quais são poliacetilenos substituídos. Estes polímeros, juntamente com o cloreto de poli(2-piridínio-2-piridilacetileno) (P2EPH), foram caracterizados por espectroscopia vibracional no infravermelho e Raman. Estes polímeros apresentaram variação na posição das bandas Raman com a energia da radiação excitante - chamada dispersão Raman ou fotosseletividade - da ordem de 10 cm-1, bem inferior ao apresentado pelo poliacetileno (cerca de 60 cm-1). Este deslocamento foi interpretado utilizando-se dois dos modelos existentes para descrever este fenômeno: o Modelo de Modo de Amplitude (AMM) e o Modelo de Coordenada de Conjugação Efetiva (ECCM), os quais fornecem informações sobre a estrutura polimérica e sobre seus níveis eletrônicos. Utilizando-se o AMM foi possível obter informações sobre os níveis eletrônicos excitados de mesma simetria que o estado eletrônico fundamental. Por outro lado, o ECCM, com a ajuda de cálculos DFT, mostrou diferenças na extensão da conjugação e no grau de dimerização entre o P2EP na forma cis e trans e indicou que este polímero apresentava, predominantemente, a estrutura cis, fato este confirmado pelos espectros no infravermelho. A dopagem com I2 provocou efeitos diferentes na estrutura dos polímeros. Os espectros no infravermelho dos polímeros dopados indicaram que o P2EP e o P2EPH apresentaram aumento na quantidade de segmentos cis enquanto o P2EPtBu apresentou diminuição na quantidade desses segmentos. Os espectros Raman dos polímeros dopados confirmaram os dados dos espectros no infravermelho. Esta diferença foi interpretada como sendo devida à diferença no volume do substituinte, pois grupos volumosos favorecem o isômero trans-cisóide onde a distância entre os substituintes é maior. A dopagem também levou a um aumento na condutividade dos polímeros, porém os valores de condutividade obtidos foram bem inferiores que os apresentados pelo poliacetileno dopado (10-5 a 10-7 contra 102 S cm-1, tipicamente). / In this work poly-2-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly-4-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly(2-N-t-butylpyridiniumylacetylene) iodide (P2EPtBu) and poly-&#946;-pethynylnaphthalene (P&#946;EN) were synthesized. These polymers, which are polyacetylenes derivatives, and poly(2-pyridinium-2-pyridylacetylene) chloride (P2EPH) were analyzed by vibrational techniques. It was observed that some Raman band positions shifted when excitation energy was changed, however this shift (ca. 10 cm-1) was substantially smaller than the presented by polyacetylene (ca. 60 cm-1). This phenomenon called Raman dispersion or photoselectivity - was examinated using Amplitude Mode Model (AMM) and Effective Conjugation Coordinate Model (ECCM) and gave us important information about polymer structure and its electronic energies levels. Using AMM it was possible to infere information about electronic excited states with the same symmetry of the electronic ground state. ECCM gave us evidences about differences in conjugation extension and dimerization degree between cis and trans structures. Besides this, ECCM was successful in indicating cis structure to P2EP. Infrared spectrum confirmed that this polymer is mainly cis. I2 doping of P2EP, P2EPH and P2EPtBu provoked differents perturbations in these systems. P2EP and P2EPH increased their cis segments amount, as showed by infrared spectra. On the other hand, this doping induced the decrease of cis segments in P2EPtBu. Raman spectroscopy supported these conclusions too. This difference was interpretated as due to the side group volume, which could favour one or another isomerization. Electronic conductivity increased by doping for all these three polymers, however the conductivity is considerably lower than the presented by polyacetylene (from 10-5 to 10-7 S cm-1 for these substituted polyacetylenes against typically 10-2 S cm-1 for polyacetylene).

Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre de cette thèse ont porté sur la réalisation de matériaux composites nanostructurés à base de nanotubes de carbone verticalement alignés (NTC alignés) et de polymères π-conjugués en vue de leur utilisation en tant que matériaux d’électrodes dans des dispositifs de stockage d’énergie de type supercondensateurs. Dans une première partie, les travaux se sont focalisés sur la croissance par CVD d’aérosol de NTC sur des substrats d’acier inoxydable via le dépôt préalable d’une sous-couche céramique SiOx. Grâce à l’optimisation de ce procédé, des tapis de NTC longs, denses et alignés pouvant directement servir de supports à l’électrodépôt de polymères π-conjugués ont pu être obtenus. Dans une seconde partie, les travaux se sont concentrés sur l’électrodépôt de poly(3-méthylthiophène) (P3MT) en milieu liquide ionique EMITFSI sur les tapis de NTC alignés à partir d’une méthode chronopotentiométrique « séquencée » permettant de réaliser des dépôts homogènes dans la profondeur des tapis. Une composition massique optimale de 70 % de P3MT permettant d’atteindre des capacitances spécifiques de 170 F.g-1 de polymère tout en conservant des cinétiques de charge-décharges élevées, comparativement à des composites NTC/P3MT enchevêtrés, a pu être déterminée. A partir des matériaux composites optimisés, des dispositifs symétriques NTC/P3MT // P3MT/NTC et hybrides CA // P3MT/NTC ont été assemblés. Le dispositif hybride à notamment permis d’atteindre une tension de 2,7 V et une capacitance de système de 26 F.g-1 en milieu EMITFSI à 25 °C. Par ailleurs, une énergie maximale de 23 Wh.kg-1 et une puissance maximale de 6,9 kW.kg-1 ont été obtenues avec une perte de seulement 7 % après 4000 cycles. Pour finir, l’électrodépôt de polypyrrole (Ppy) a été étudié dans différents milieux liquides ioniques protiques et aprotiques. Après des études réalisées par microbalance à cristal de quartz permettant de mieux comprendre les mécanismes d’insertion des espèces ioniques lors de la croissance du polymère conjugué et lors de son dopage positif réversible, des dépôt de Ppy ont été réalisés et optimisés dans la profondeur des tapis de NTC alignés. Des nanocomposites NTC alignés/Ppy présentant des capacitances spécifiques comprises entre 100 et 130 F.g-1 ont ainsi pu être obtenus. / This thesis focused on the elaboration of nanostructured composite materials based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (aligned CNT) and π-conjugated polymers and their use as electrode materials in supercapacitor-type energy storage devices. The first part focused on aligned CNT growth by aerosol-assisted CVD on stainless steel substrates and the deposition of a SiOx ceramic sublayer. Thanks to the optimization of this growth process, long, dense, and aligned CNT carpets which can directly act as support for the electrodeposition of π-conjugated polymers were obtained. The second part focused on the electrodeposition of poly (3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) in EMITFSI ionic liquid medium on aligned CNT carpets using a “pulsed” chronopotentiometric method to produce homogeneous deposits in the depth of the carpets. An optimal P3MT mass composition of 70 %, which helped achieve a specific capacitance of 170 F.g-1 of polymer while maintaining high charge-discharge kinetics, compared with NTC/P3MT entangled composites, was determined. NTC/P3MT // P3MT/NTC symmetrical devices and CA // P3MT/NTC hybrid devices were assembled using the optimized composite materials. The hybrid device reached a voltage of 2.7 V and a system capacitance of 26 F.g-1 in EMITFSI at 25 ° C. Furthermore, a maximum energy of 23 Wh.kg-1 and a maximum power of 6.9 kW.kg-1 were obtained with only a 7 % loss after 4000 cycles. Finally, the electrodeposition of polypyrrole (Ppy) was investigated in different protic and aprotic ionic liquids. After quartz crystal microbalance studies in order to better understand the insertion mechanisms of ionic species during conjugated polymer growth and during its reversible positive doping, the electrodeposition of Ppy within the deepness of the aligned CNT carpets was optimized. Aligned CNT/Ppy nanocomposites with specific capacitances ranging between 100 and 130 F.g-1 were obtained.

Highly fluorescent conjugated polymers (CPs) are an important class of biomaterials used for various biological applications including labelling, sensing, and delivery of biological substances. Synthetic versatility and tunable emission make CPs a superior class of biomaterials. Understanding the structure-function relationship of CPs plays a vital role in designing high performing biomaterials. The cationic CPs are self-assembled to conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) in an aqueous environment due to their amphiphilicity. The physical and biophysical properties of CPNs are highly dependent on the chemical functionality and backbone structure of CPs. Modulation of the surface property and backbone structure of CPNs play an important role for efficient internalization of CPNs into cells. The goal of this dissertation is to understand the structure function relationship of CPNs in an aqueous environment and the change in their photo physical properties upon the self-assembly of CPNs with different backbone structure upon complexation with biologically significant polysaccharides and cell membrane. This work presents the self-assembly of a set of four cationic CPs with different connectivity and backbone structure upon complexation with a linear polyanion hyaluronic acid (HA). The study of photo physical properties changes upon the complexation with series of Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) provides more insight about how the self-assembly behavior of cationic CPs changes upon the exposure to negatively charged polysaccharides. The understanding of the self-assembly of CPNs with negatively charged biologically important macromolecules under in vitro conditions can give us an idea of photophysical property changes of CPNs during the treatment of CPNs in the cellular environment. The study of the interaction of CPNs with cell membranes using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM)-based topography, potential mapping, and confocal microscopy imaging is presented. CPNs are able to induce transient pore like feature formation on the cell membrane during the cellular internalization process. A comparative study of cellular labelling and delivery of siRNA of five CPNs with guanidine motif is presented. The subcellular localization and delivery of siRNA were dependent on the side chain hydrophilicity. The CPNs fabricated with hydrophilic aminoethoxyethanol possesses excellent cellular imaging with higher siRNA delivery.

Mit Lösungen von 9,10-Diphenylanthracen und N(C2H5)4ClO4 oder N(C4H9)4ClO4 als Leitsalz im Lösungsmittel Acetonitril wurden Elektrochemilumineszenz (ECL)-Experimente durchgeführt. Dazu wurden die Elektroden mit Folgen von jeweils drei in bestimmten zeitlichen Abständen aufeinander folgenden Potentialsprüngen polarisiert. Es wird gezeigt, dass bei entsprechender Wahl der Potentiale und der Haltezeiten anodische und kathodische ECL-Emissionen gleicher Intensität erzeugt werden können. Sodann wurde ECL in den Derivaten von Poly(p-phenylen-vinylen), MEH-PPV und DB-PPV erzeugt. Diese leitfähigen Polymere wurden als dünne Schichten auf Platin-Elektroden aufgebracht und wie bei ECL aus der Lösungsphase in Acetonitril-Elektrolyten mit Tetralkylammonium-Leitsalzen Potentialsprüngen unterworfen. Bei geeigneter Einstellung der Potentialsprünge und Haltezeiten konnten anodische und kathodische ECL gleicher Intensität erhalten werden. Dies ist das erste Mal, dass symmetrische ECL mit polymerbeschichteten Elektroden erhalten wurde. Die Kinetik der ECL weicht deutlich von der aus der Lösungsphase ab. Der ECL-Prozess verläuft langsamer als in der Lösungsphase, und der Leitelektrolyt hat einen signifikanten Einfluss auf das elektrochemische Verhalten der Polymerschicht. Die Ursachen dafür wurden über Modellrechnungen analysiert, mit denen die Ladungstransportprozesse in der Polymerschicht simuliert wurden. In derartigen Simulationsrechnungen konnten die Geschwindigkeitskonstanten der ECL-Reaktion sowohl im Polymer als auch in der Lösung bestimmt werden. Um die Stabilität der Polymerschichten zu erhöhen, wurde versucht, die Polymerketten mit Synchrotronstrahlung zu vernetzen. Diese Experimente brachten nicht das erwartete Ergebnis. Die Ursachen dafür werden auf der Grundlage von Ex-Situ-Raman-spektroskopischen Untersuchungen diskutiert. / Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has been generated in solution phase using 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) with TEAClO4 (or TBAClO4) in acetonitrile solvent. Triple potential step was used for the generation of ECL. It was found that anodic and cathodic ECL of equal intensities can be generated by proper choice of potential step magnitude, width and the waiting period (tw) between successive triple potential steps. ECL was then generated in conducting polymers poly(2-ethylhexyloxy-5-methoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) and poly(2,3-dibutoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (DB-PPV) by coating them on Pt electrodes and subjecting to potential steps in tetraalkylammonium salt solutions with acetonitrile. Similar to the case of solution phase ECL, symmetrical anodic and cathodic ECL could be observed by the appropriate choice of the potential step parameters. But the kinetics of the ECL was found to be different from that of the solution phase ECL. The time scale of the ECL process was found to be longer than that in the solution phase ECL. The nature of supporting electrolyte had a remarkable impact on the electrochemistry of conducting polymers. The reasons were analyzed by theoretical calculations evoking the concept of charge transport characteristics of conducting polymers. The rate constants of the ECL process were calculated by separate simulation procedure in the solution phase as well as in the polymer phase ECL. To enhance the stability of conducting polymers, synchrotron radiation induced cross-linking was performed. The effects were different from expected which were analyzed and rationalized by ex-situ Raman spectroscopic studies.

Neste trabalho foram sintetizados a poli-2-etinilpiridina (P2EP), poli-4etinilpiridina (P4EP), o iodeto de poli(2-N-t-butilpiridiniumilacetileno) (P2EPtBu) e a poli-&#946;-etinilnaftaleno (P&#946:EN), os quais são poliacetilenos substituídos. Estes polímeros, juntamente com o cloreto de poli(2-piridínio-2-piridilacetileno) (P2EPH), foram caracterizados por espectroscopia vibracional no infravermelho e Raman. Estes polímeros apresentaram variação na posição das bandas Raman com a energia da radiação excitante - chamada dispersão Raman ou fotosseletividade - da ordem de 10 cm-1, bem inferior ao apresentado pelo poliacetileno (cerca de 60 cm-1). Este deslocamento foi interpretado utilizando-se dois dos modelos existentes para descrever este fenômeno: o Modelo de Modo de Amplitude (AMM) e o Modelo de Coordenada de Conjugação Efetiva (ECCM), os quais fornecem informações sobre a estrutura polimérica e sobre seus níveis eletrônicos. Utilizando-se o AMM foi possível obter informações sobre os níveis eletrônicos excitados de mesma simetria que o estado eletrônico fundamental. Por outro lado, o ECCM, com a ajuda de cálculos DFT, mostrou diferenças na extensão da conjugação e no grau de dimerização entre o P2EP na forma cis e trans e indicou que este polímero apresentava, predominantemente, a estrutura cis, fato este confirmado pelos espectros no infravermelho. A dopagem com I2 provocou efeitos diferentes na estrutura dos polímeros. Os espectros no infravermelho dos polímeros dopados indicaram que o P2EP e o P2EPH apresentaram aumento na quantidade de segmentos cis enquanto o P2EPtBu apresentou diminuição na quantidade desses segmentos. Os espectros Raman dos polímeros dopados confirmaram os dados dos espectros no infravermelho. Esta diferença foi interpretada como sendo devida à diferença no volume do substituinte, pois grupos volumosos favorecem o isômero trans-cisóide onde a distância entre os substituintes é maior. A dopagem também levou a um aumento na condutividade dos polímeros, porém os valores de condutividade obtidos foram bem inferiores que os apresentados pelo poliacetileno dopado (10-5 a 10-7 contra 102 S cm-1, tipicamente). / In this work poly-2-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly-4-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly(2-N-t-butylpyridiniumylacetylene) iodide (P2EPtBu) and poly-&#946;-pethynylnaphthalene (P&#946;EN) were synthesized. These polymers, which are polyacetylenes derivatives, and poly(2-pyridinium-2-pyridylacetylene) chloride (P2EPH) were analyzed by vibrational techniques. It was observed that some Raman band positions shifted when excitation energy was changed, however this shift (ca. 10 cm-1) was substantially smaller than the presented by polyacetylene (ca. 60 cm-1). This phenomenon called Raman dispersion or photoselectivity - was examinated using Amplitude Mode Model (AMM) and Effective Conjugation Coordinate Model (ECCM) and gave us important information about polymer structure and its electronic energies levels. Using AMM it was possible to infere information about electronic excited states with the same symmetry of the electronic ground state. ECCM gave us evidences about differences in conjugation extension and dimerization degree between cis and trans structures. Besides this, ECCM was successful in indicating cis structure to P2EP. Infrared spectrum confirmed that this polymer is mainly cis. I2 doping of P2EP, P2EPH and P2EPtBu provoked differents perturbations in these systems. P2EP and P2EPH increased their cis segments amount, as showed by infrared spectra. On the other hand, this doping induced the decrease of cis segments in P2EPtBu. Raman spectroscopy supported these conclusions too. This difference was interpretated as due to the side group volume, which could favour one or another isomerization. Electronic conductivity increased by doping for all these three polymers, however the conductivity is considerably lower than the presented by polyacetylene (from 10-5 to 10-7 S cm-1 for these substituted polyacetylenes against typically 10-2 S cm-1 for polyacetylene).

In the last few years, considerable efforts have been given to develop sensitive and effective sensors for explosive materials and to generate systems which exhibit high luminescence in both solution and solid-state. The increasing number of terrorist activities around the world have prompted scientists to design effective ways to detect and disarm even the trace amount of explosives. The nitroaromatics (NACs) are the common constituents of most of the explosives due to high explosive velocity and ease of availability. The NACs were extensively used as the main constituents in landmines until World War II. Apart from their explosive behavior, the NACs are well-known environmental pollutants. The industrial waste and the leakages from unexploded landmines are the major contributors towards the soil and ground water contamination. Presently for effective detection of trace amount of explosives, skilled canines and metal based detectors are commonly used. The canines are trained for a specific type of explosives which limit their ability to detect different types of substrates. The chemical sensors that work on the principle of colorimetric and/or fluorimetric detection techniques have emerged as suitable alternative due to cheap production cost, portability and sensitivity. Different types of materials including conjugated polymers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and quantum-dots have been reported as efficient chemosensors for NACs. However, poor solubility in the common organic solvents, low solid-state fluorescence, very high molecular weight and lack of signal amplification have restricted the application of these material for in-field testing. Renewed interests have been invested in small molecule based systems; and metal-organic discrete molecular architectures due to precise control over their photophysical properties and the supramolecular interaction among neighboring molecules that facilitates energy migration among the molecular backbone. On the other hand, recently post-synthetic modification of different molecular systems including MOFs and polymers has emerged as a potential technique to incorporate desired functional groups into the system and to tune their properties with the retention of basic structures. Reports on the post-synthetic modification of discrete metal-organic architectures are rare due to the delicate nature of the metal-organic bonds that ruptures on mild environmental changes. Therefore, post-synthetic functionalization of discrete molecular systems using mild reaction conditions will open up a myriad of possibilities to generate new systems with desired characteristics. Chapter 1 of the thesis will briefly discuss the history of different explosive materials including different detection methodologies that are widely used. It will also include a brief discussion on different small molecular systems with high solid-state luminescence. In Chapter 2, design and synthesis of triphenylamine-based two Platinum(Pt)(II) molecules functionalized with carboxylic acid and ester groups including their organic analogues have been discussed. The triphenylamine core was chosen due its unique non-planarity and luminescence. On the other hand, Pt(II) center was incorporated to increase intermolecular spacing in solid-state that can induce high luminescence. Scheme 1. Schematic representation of fluorescence quenching using small molecules. All the four molecules were found to be highly sensitive towards NACs including picric acid and dinitrophenol. Although the molecules exhibited similar sensitivity in solution, the carboxylic acid analogues demonstrated superior sensitivity in solid-state. Careful observation of the crystal structures of the systems revealed the acid analogues were oriented in a 2-D grid-like pattern that facilitated energy migration among neighboring molecules (Scheme 1.). Chapter 3 describes design, synthesis, and NACs sensing behavior of anthracene-based four purely organic small molecules. The molecules exhibited high selectivity towards picric acid only. All the molecules were found to be highly emissive in both solution and solid-state due to the vinylanthracene backbone (Scheme 2.). Scheme 2. Schematic representation of fluorescence quenching and solid-state sensing behavior. Chapter 4 discusses the strategy to develop mechano-fluorochromic and AIE active triphenylamine-based Pt(II) complex and its organic analogue. The twisted triphenylamine backbone restricted molecular close packing in solid-state; and weak C-H-- interactions were utilized to hinder the motion of the phenyl rings. As a result, the molecules were highly emissive in solid-state. Grinding disrupted the intermolecular interactions and thus mechano-fluorochromic behavior was observed. Due to twisted backbone, the molecules were also found to be AIE active. Both the systems containing terminal aldehyde groups were finally utilized for selective detection of biomolecule cysteine (Scheme 3.). Scheme 3. Mechano-fluorochromic and AIE behavior of the triphenylamine based Pt(II) complex. In Chapter 5 vinylanthracene-based linear donor was used in combination with carbazole-based 90° and triphenylamine-based 120° Pt(II) acceptors to generate (4+4) and (6+6) molecular squares and hexagons, respectively. The vinylanthracene backbone imparts high solution and solid-state luminescence to the system as well as made them AIE active. The molecules were further investigated for the solution and solid-state sensing for NACs and found to be effective for trinitrotoluene (TNT) and dinitrotoluene (DNT) (Scheme 4.). Scheme 4. Schematic representation of AIE active molecular square and its NACs sensing. Chapter 6 describes the formation of Pd3 self-assembled molecular trinuclear barrels containing triphenylamine imidazole donors and Pd(II) acceptors. Using Knoevenagel condensation the aldehyde group present in the barrel was post-synthetically functionalized with Meldrum’s acid. From spectroscopic characterization, it was proved that the structural integrity remained intact after the post-modification treatment (Scheme 6.). Surprisingly, pre-synthetic modification of the donor alone with Meldrum’s acid followed by self-assembly treatment with the Pd(II) ion did not yield trigonal barrel 6.8. Scheme 6. Post-synthetic functionalization of trinuclear barrels using Knoevenagel condensation.(For colour pictures pl see the abstract pdf file)