In Situ Generation of Fullerene from a Poly(fullerene). Issue 21 (17th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva, Hugo Santos; Ramanitra, Hasina H.; Bregadiolli, Bruna A.; Tournebize, Aurélien; Bégué, Didier; Dowland, Simon A.; Lartigau‐Dagron, Christine; Graeff, Carlos F. O.; Distler, Andreas; Peisert, Heiko; Chassé, Thomas; Hiorns, Roger C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 57:Issue 21(2019)
• Page Start: 1434
• Page End: 1452
• Publication Date: 2019-10-17
• Subjects: atom transfer radical addition -- degradation -- Fullerenes -- organic photovoltaic -- organic solar cell -- photoreactive effects -- poly(fullerene); 547
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.24888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article appraises the thermal, photo‐ and photo‐oxidative stability of poly(fullerene)‐ alt ‐[bismethylbenzene)]s (PFBMBs) prepared by the atom transfer radical addition polymerization (ATRAP) with particular attention paid to their use as additives in organic photovoltaic devices. PFBMBs are of interest due to their well‐defined structures based on alternating, main‐chain, fullerene‐methylene links. This work shows by way of a wide range of characterization techniques and a small library of PFBMBs with varying side chains, however, that PFBMBs are relatively unstable. Given that prior work has shown that other main‐chain fullerene polymers, such as poly(pyrrolidinofullerene)s, are inherently stable, we suggest a degradation mechanism specific to the fullerene‐methylene links of PFBMBs, which explains their unusual behavior. This work suggests that polymers based on fullerene each have their own specific stabilities and qualities and that PFBMBs might be of more use in purposes other than OPVs where in situ delivery of fullerene is required, for example, in medical applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1434–1452 Abstract : Most poly(fullerene)s are extremely stable. This one, prepared using atom transfer radical addition polymerization, carries weak methylene‐fullerene bonds that rupture to deliver free fullerene. Initially explored for use in photovoltaic applications, the properties of poly(fullerene)s prepared using atom transfer radical addition polymerization are more likely of use in medical applications where fullerene's anti‐viral and anti‐cancer activities can be delivered in‐situ.