Naphthalene diimide bithiophene P(NDI2OD-T2) polymer, also known as N2200, is a commercially available donor-acceptor polymer, which is extensively investigated for its high electron mobility (> 0.85 cm2 V-1 s-1 in OFET), high power conversion efficiency (PCE) ~5% in all-polymer solar cells (PSC)s, good solution processability, high crystallinity and light absorption capability near-visible and infrared region. Recently our group has demonstrated the energy storage applications of composites of N2200 with carbon nanotubes (CNTs).1, 2 The traditional methods for synthesizing these conjugated polymers can be impractical for industrial-scale production due to the need for toxic pre-functionalized monomers and difficulties in purification. Our research group has been engaged in the development of the versatile acceptor polymers based on naphthalene diimide, by conventional and DHAP methods.3 In my presentation I will discuss the research efforts from our group to develop cost-effective, scalable, and reproducible synthetic routes for P(NDI2OD-T2) polymer. Continous flow polymerization, direct heteroarylation polymerization and recycling and reusing heterogeneous catalysts are some of the approaches that will be presented.2-4
References
National Chemical Laboratory, India