ORCID
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-5868
Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Type
Dissertation
Abstract
Conducting polymers are a class of organic material that possesses semiconducting properties. Their unique molecular structure facilitates charge transport via delocalized π-electron network in the polymer backbone. Creating nanostructures in a conducting polymer increases its surface area to volume ratio and promotes molecular interaction at the surface of the polymer, resulting in enhanced physical and chemical properties, such as ion transfer, adsorption/desorption efficiency, and electrical conductivity. This dissertation focuses on synthesizing nanostructured conducting polymers and their composites from the vapor phase. The mechanisms in a novel synthetic strategy that utilizes iron corrosion products to initiate polymerization and template nanostructure formation is examined. Vapor-phase synthesis is carried out on both organic and inorganic substrates, and varying reaction conditions, such as temperature, reaction time, or anions in the iron(III) salt, creates a spectrum of morphologies (0D particles, 1D fibers, and amorphous films). This dissertation also presents methods for overcoming challenges in conducting polymer processing. Vapor-phase synthesized conducting polymers are fabricated into electrodes for state-of-art supercapacitors, humidity and temperature sensors, and proof-of-concept functional 3D-printed objects.
Language
English (en)
Chair and Committee
Julio D'Arcy Bryce Sadtler
Committee Members
Jonathan Barnes, Young-Shin Jun, Vijay Ramani,
Recommended Citation
Yang, Haoru, "Hydrolysis-directed Vapor-phase Synthesis and Solution Processing of Nanostructured Conducting Polymers" (2023). Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2924.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/art_sci_etds/2924