Green Solvents Processable Conjugated Polymers for Organic Electronics

Research question

 This project is going to investigate the following questions: how can we process conjugated polymers for organic electronics in green solvents? And how can we reduce electronic waste? In this investigation we plan to use molecular design and syntheses of conjugated polymers soluble in truly green solvents—for instance, a mixture of water and alcohol. We will also investigate the development of (bio)degradable conjugated polymers to make electronics biodegradable. We can provide conjugated polymers for organic electronics, including organic electrochemical transistors, light-emitting diodes, organic solar cells, thermoelectrics.  These conjugated polymers can be also biodegradable for transient or implantable devices. 

Sustainability aspects 

The processing of organic electronics often involves the use of toxic halogenated or aromatic solvents and their release not only causes pollution but is also harmful for the workers involved in processing activities. Therefore, another aim of this project is to enable the processing of conjugated polymers in ecofriendly and truly green water-alcohol solvent systems. On the other hand, in this project, we will try to make conjugated polymers from nature-derived molecules, which will impart biodegradability in the polymers. The electronics made from this type of polymers can degrade and be adsorbed by soil and, in a way, “recycled” by nature, which can largely contribute to the reduction of electronics waste.