Development of macromolecular phosphorus-containing viologens
Date
2018-08-27
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Abstract
This thesis highlights the development and strategy towards larger, macromolecule-based phosphoryl-bridged viologens, or “phosphaviologens”, as an electrode material for application in organic electronics. The general setup of a battery consists of an anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte. Cathodic materials, or electron-donating p-type materials, have been well established in organic batteries. Their anodic counter-parts, or electron-accepting n-type materials have not seen as much success and require further investigation. The phosphaviologen, developed by the Baumgartner group, has seen significant progress as an n-type material and is investigated in larger systems throughout this thesis.
The first research chapter discusses two new “star-shaped” phosphoryl-bridged viologens and their appreciable electron-accepting ability. The three- and four-pendant compounds were fully characterized, and their benefits and drawbacks are examined. The second research chapter discusses the synthetic strategy and attempts of incorporating the phosphaviologen within a larger polymeric material, that is cellulose nanocrystals, and highlights the difficulties associated. Later discussed is an interesting aggregate that is produced between the anionic cellulose nanocrystals and the cationic phosphaviologen molecules. Expanding on the previous chapter, the final research chapter highlights the efforts of developing highly charged phosphaviologen-containing polymers. Initially, various functionalized precursor polymer backbones were utilized with the phosphaviologen. An alternative route was explored with a bottom-up approach, investigating the polymerization of a polymerization-ready phosphaviologen monomer. This chapter closes with a promising outlook with reference to this topic.
Lastly, this thesis concludes with the future direction of phosphaviologen aggregates, and the continuation of the development of a polymer-containing phosphaviologen. The overall goal of this thesis was motivated toward developing novel anodic materials for battery applications.
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phosphorus, viologen, electrochromism, redox, functional material, phosphaviologen, phosphoryl-bridge viologen
Citation
Striepe, L. J. (2018). Development of macromolecular phosphorus-containing viologens (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/32865