Organic polymers can be found today in solar cells, sensors, LEDs and many other technical applications. A special class of these - the so-called S-PPVs - were previously considered highly promising in theory, but technically almost impossible to produce. However, after years of work, a team at TU Wien has now succeeded in finding a chemical synthesis route for these S-PPVs. The manufacturing process has now been patented.
The polymers consist of a long, solid hydrocarbon structure to which certain side groups are attached. By selecting different side groups, the electronic properties of the material can be adjusted.
Until now, PPVs have been used whose side groups are connected to the rest of the polymer via an oxygen atom - so-called O-PPVs. If it is possible to replace these oxygen side groups with sulphur side groups, a new polymer, an S-PPV, with significantly improved properties is created.
A reliable, simple process for the production of S-PPVs has now been found. Suitable monomers are produced with the help of microwave radiation. They are polymerized and can then be modified at the side groups. The reaction takes place within seconds.
