Electropolymerization
Electropolymerization has been used in the directed formation of polymers onto electrode surfaces such as graphite fibers. Such polymerizations have generally been from non-aqueous solutions, by ionic or mixed ionic-radical mechanism. However, molecular weights of the electropolymers from these solutions have generally been low.
More recently, aqueous solution electropolymerization techniques have been disclosed to apply thin (less than ten (10) weight % polymer) polymeric coating onto graphite fibers. See Bell et al, Polymer Composites, 8,46 (1987), Subramanian et al, Polymer Engr. Sci., 18,590 (1978). Unfortunately, such thin deposition of thermoplastic polymers onto graphite fibers does not satisfy the need for new thermoplastic composite materials since the thin coatings are incapable of forming the required thick thermoplastic matrix needed in such composites.
Recent Journal Articles
Controllable Optical, Electrical, and Morphologic Properties of 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene Based Electrocopolymerization Films
(1014–1019)Macromolecular Rapid Communications 32 #13 (2011)
Gu et al of Jilin University, China, formed neutral network films based on EDOT formed by in situ electrocopolymerization (ECP). The ECP films which are neutral and colorless exhibit the conductivity of 0.2–0.5 S · cm−1, WF of 4.79–5.20 eV, and RMS roughness of 3.51–5.26 nm. The electroluminescent devices where ECP films acted as hole-transport layer (HTL) exhibit higher brightness, current density, efficiency (20–30% improvement), and stability than that of PEDOT:PSS HTL device. The ECP films also significantly benefit the stability of neighboring organic layer compared to PEDOT:PSS. This kind of new ECP films affords more opportunities to develop organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with high performances and stability. (RDC 6/27/2011)
Electropolymerization of layer-by-layer precursor polymer films
(753–758)Polymers for Advanced Technologies 22 #5 (2011)|Waenkaew, Phanichphant and Advincula of Chiang Mai University, Thailand and University of Houston, Texas, fabricated thin films by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly and electropolymerization on any solid substrates. The multilayer polymer thin films are constructed by alternating adsorption of anionic and cationic polymers. Polyelectrolyte multilayer ultrathin films containing anionic poly[2-(thiophen-3-yl)ethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid]; P(TEM-co-MA) and cationic poly[4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-N-butyl-4-vinyl pyridium bromide]; P4VPCBZ, were fabricated. (RDC 6/9/2011)
Nanostructured Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) Precursor Ultrathin Films
(1039–1049)Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 212 #10 (2011)
Waenkaew et al of the University of Houston, Texas and Chiang Mai University, Thailand, formed a nanostructured interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) via electropolymerization . The electro-copolymerization of alternate layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled polyelectrolytes with thiophene and carbazole pendant monomers was demonstrated facilitating IPN formation of π-conjugated polymers or conjugated polymer network (CPN) films. Electrochemical crosslinking by cyclic voltammetry (CV) manifested highly regular peak current increases with successive cycles. A quantitative correlation of the LbL layer number with the cathodic charge and scan rate was observed. (RDC 5/26/2011)