Magnetism in Pristine Pi-conjugated Polymers

Abstract

In this study, the magnetic and magneto-optic properties of -conjugated polymers were investigated. This research was initiated by the observation of extremely strong Faraday rotation in films of pristine highly regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s and subsequently a ferromagnetic hysteretic behavior at low temperature (< 20K) in these polymers. Concomitantly nanoscopic doughnut structures (diameter ~12 nm) were observed in such thin films spin coated from a poor solvent (toluene). Interestingly all such properties and structures were absent from regiorandom poly(3-alkylthiophene)s. Over the course of the project, we developed an extended portfolio of polythiophenes, achiral as well as chiral, which have been thoroughly characterized in their chemical properties. Faraday measurements on these polymers, in solution and thin films, have clearly shown the great potential of these polymers as materials for magneto-optical applications. The results of this project have also opened a new way to organic magnetism of environmental stable polymers, while on a more theoretical way the study of persistent currents in organic cyclic structures has been initiated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 07, 2014
Accession Number
ADA611575

Entities

People

  • Andre Persoons

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Block Copolymers
  • Chemistry
  • Conjugated Polymers
  • Copolymers
  • Films
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetic Moments
  • Magnetic Properties
  • Magneto-Optics
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Physical Properties
  • Polymeric Films
  • Polymers
  • Quantum Properties
  • Spin-Orbit Interaction
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Technology