Designing Stable Open-Shell Polymers for High-Performance Devices

Reviewed by Lexie CornerJuly 4, 2024

A recent review by researchers from Peking University, published in Chinese Polymer Science Journaloffers an in-depth exploration of open-shell oligomers and polymers. The review covers theory, characterization methods, molecular design, and potential applications of these materials, emphasizing their role in the development of electronic and magnetic technologies.

Research on open-shell molecules has shown great promise in organic electronics and magnetism, especially for those with high-spin ground states. These molecules, which contain unpaired electrons, are attractive prospects for cutting-edge technology because of their unusual features, including long spin lifetimes and weak spin-orbit coupling.

Due to kinetic and thermodynamic instability, stable open-shell polymers are difficult to design and synthesize. Given these difficulties, more investigation is needed to develop strategies that will work in their design, synthesis, and application in high-performance magnetic and electrical devices.

This review thoroughly examines open-shell conjugated polymers, emphasizing their theoretical foundations and characterization methods. It covers the basics of diradical and polyradical theory. It delves into experimental techniques such as Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, as well as computational techniques such as quantum chemical calculations.

The authors highlight the unique features and possible applications of quinoid and quinoid-aromatic alternating copolymers, two categories of open-shell polymers. The researchers emphasize the exceptional stability, processability, and applicability of high-spin polymers based on donor-acceptor architectures for optoelectronic and spintronic devices.

The study also addresses the difficulties associated with achieving high-spin states while maintaining the desired optoelectronic performance, with the aim of directing future research toward overcoming these obstacles and improving the applicability of open-shell polymers.

Advances in the design and characterization of open-shell conjugated polymers represent a significant step forward in the development of next-generation electronic and magnetic devices. The unique properties of these materials offer enormous potential for a variety of high-tech applications, from flexible electronics to quantum computers..

Dr. Ting Lei, Lead Researcher, Peking University

Open-shell conjugated polymers have a wide range of potential applications, including organic thermoelectrics, spintronics, organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), and photodetectors. Their distinct electrical and magnetic properties, along with improved stability and processability, make them ideal candidates for upcoming technologies.

Research and development in this area has the potential to significantly improve the performance of electronic and magnetic devices, opening up new opportunities for innovation across many industries.

The research was supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation and the Research Fund of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology,

Magazine reference:

Wang, X.-Q., and others. (2024) Open-shell oligomers and polymers: theory, characterization methods, molecular design and applications. Chinese Polymer Science Journal. Website link: doi.org/10.1007/s10118-024-3087-7.