Date of Award
2005
Degree Type
Dissertation
First Advisor
Brett Lucht
Abstract
Polythiophenes and oligothiophenes have attracted a lot of attention for their interesting optical and electronic properties. Highly regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) can be synthesized using McCullough's method (polymerization is catalyzed by NidpppCl2 from Grignard monomer which is made by metathesis) and less regioirregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) can be synthesized using oxidative polymerization of the monomer with anhydrous FeCl3. We are interested in the thermochromic properties of polythiophenes for application in rapid visual assessment of temperature. Poly(3-docosylthiophene) was found to have a two-step thermochromic process for samples that are rapidly cooled from the melt. Poly[3-(oligoethylene oxide)-4-methylthiophene] can be doped by HCl in aqueous solution in the absence of oxygen. The same polymer in ethanol undergoes unusual solvatochromism when water is added.
Recommended Citation
Wang, Yu, "Synthesis and investigation of the thermochromic properties of polythiophenes and oligothiophenes" (2005). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 2066.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/2066
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