Conducting Polymer Grafting: Recent and Key Developments

Abstract

Since the discovery of conductive polyacetylene, conductive electroactive polymers are at the focal point of technology generation and biocommunication materials. The reasons why this research never stops growing, are twofold: first, the demands from the advanced technology towards more sophistication, precision, durability, processability and cost-effectiveness; and second, the shaping of conducting polymer research in accordance with the above demand. One of the major challenges in conducting polymer research is addressing the processability issue without sacrificing the electroactive properties. Therefore, new synthetic designs and use of post-modification techniques become crucial than ever. This quest is not only advancing the field but also giving birth of new hybrid materials integrating merits of multiple functional motifs. The present review article is an attempt to discuss the recent progress in conducting polymer grafting, which is not entirely new, but relatively lesser developed area for this class of polymers to fine-tune their physicochemical properties. Apart from conventional covalent grafting techniques, non-covalent approach, which is relatively new but has worth creation potential, will also be discussed. The aim is to bring together novel molecular designs and strategies to stimulate the existing conducting polymer synthesis methodologies in order to enrich its fascinating chemistry dedicated toward real-life applications.

Halogen‐Free Polyphosphazene‐Based Flame Retardant Cathode Materials for Li–S Batteries

“…Graft final polymers were prepared by three steps: first, linear poly(dichloro)phosphazene was synthesized by ring opening polymerization process starting from the hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP); second, an approach known as “grafting from” was used with polyphosphazene backbone bearing functional initiation sides. [ 18 ] As functional initiation sides, acrylamide group (amide part in structure) known to have strong intermediate lithium polysulfide binding energy was chosen. [ 19 ] Finally, the poly(AAE)‐ x S ( x = 55%, 80%, and 95%) polymers were synthesized by inverse vulcanization of poly(AAE) with three different feed ratios of molten sulfur ( Scheme 1 a).…”

Structure Code for Advanced Polymer Electrolyte in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…Graft polymers are mainly composed of comb‐shaped copolymers with loosely packed side chains or densely grafted macromolecular brushes prepared by “grafting from”, “grafting through” or “grafting onto” methods. [ 97 ] The designations with different grafting densities lead to the formation of various architectures, while the decoration of various functional groups imparts different response capabilities to the obtained polymers. [ 98 ] As previously mentioned, BCPs are favorable electrolyte materials because of their compatible existence of soft and hard segments.…”

New Light in Polymer Science: Photoinduced Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (PET-RAFT) as Innovative Strategy for the Synthesis of Advanced Materials

“…For instance, polymers grafts are employed to protect substrates from light damage or corrosion, impart substrate with flame retardancy, prevent nanoparticle aggregation, or to modify surface properties of inorganic fillers to increase affinity for polymeric matrix, making easier to process for industrial applications. Three are the most exploited protocols for the synthesis of inorganic-polymeric materials: (i) grafting to, (ii) grafting from, and (iii) grafting through whose mechanisms are already fully reviewed [ 71 , 72 ]. RAFT polymerization has been already applied for surface modification of several inorganic compounds, few examples are gold [ 73 ], iron oxide [ 74 ], silica [ 75 ], and titanium dioxide [ 76 ] nanoparticles.…”