Synthesis of poly(3-[2-{2-methoxyethoxy}ethoxy]thiophene) for Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductors

Abstract

Mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) show great promise for applications ranging from biosensors and organic electrochemical transistors to fuel cells and batteries. However, there is still not much known about what makes a good MIEC. In this thesis, the syntheses of two ethylene glycol substituted thiophenes are presented to be studied as a MIEC. The synthesis starts with simple substituted thiophene rings and ends with dihalogented thiophene rings with ethylene glycol side chain. These monomers can then be polymerized to make poly(3-[2-{2- methoxyethoxy}ethoxy]thiophene) and poly(3-[2-{2-methoxyethoxy}ethoxymethyl]thiophene). The objective of this work is to help determine what constitutes a good MIEC.