Functional polymers for optoelectronic applications by RAFT polymerization

Abstract

This review focuses on the approaches to the synthesis of functional polymers for optoelectronic applications that make use of radical polymerization with reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Optoelectronic applications include hole/electron transport in photovoltaics (OPVs), light emitting diodes (OLEDs and PLEDs), thin-film transistors (TFTs), sensors, light-harvesting and related applications. In this context we consider metallopolymers (polymers that incorporate a metal or possess metal ligating functionality as a pendant group to the backbone, as an end-group or as a connecting group), organic semiconductors (polymers with an organic semiconductor moiety either as a block or as a pendant group), and various surfaces, nanoparticles and quantum dots that are formed by RAFT polymerization or where a RAFT-synthesized polymer forms an integral part of the process or structure.