Numerous semiconductive organic materials are actively being pursued for application in sensing and electronics. Chapter one introduces conjugated polymers (CPs) and their many useful properties, including electroluminescence, which has helped foster growing demand for these materials in low-power organic light emitting diodes (OLED) for solid state lighting and additionally polychromatic displays. In the second chapter of this dissertation, we develop the concept of digrignard scavengers for use in nickel catalyst transfer polymerization of diarylmagnesate monomers into conjugate polymers within a unique mixed THF/1,4-Dioxane solvent system. Our initial findings include a polymerization method which permits the formation of an electronics grade copolymer with molecular weights in excess of Mn = 50 kg/mol within 15 minutes using a scalable, room temperature method. In chapter three, we discuss the synthesis and characterization of Polysilafluorenes (PSFs), which are an important class of light-emitting conjugate polymers noted for their characteristic brilliant solid state blue luminescence, high quantum efficiency, excellent solubility and improved thermal stability. In chapter four, we present a protocol for photopatterning derivatives of poly(3,6-dimethoxy-9,9-dialkylsilafluorenes) with resolutions exceeding 10 μm. The resultant crosslinked material possess characteristic blue photoluminescence with solid state quantum yields > 80%. In chapter five, we present a protocol for 3-D photopatterning derivatives of poly(3,6-dimethoxy-9,9-dialkylsilafluorenes) with resolutions exceeding 200 nm using two photon direct laser writing techniques. In chapter six, we present a unique deep blue emitting copolymer, poly(3,6-dimethoxy-9.9`-dihexylsilafluorene-co-3.6-dimethoxy-2’,3’,6’,7’-tetrahexyloxy-9,9-spiro-9-silabifluorene) (PHSSF-co-PDHSF), which exhibits brilliant solid state blue luminescence, high quantum efficiency, excellent solubility and thermal stability. In chapter seven, we explore crosslinked conductive metallocene polymer networks that mediate chemical, electronic and mechanical signals.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/43663 |
| Date | 13 January 2014 |
| Creators | McDowell, Jeffrey |
| Contributors | Ozin, Geoffrey Alan |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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