Synthesis, characterization and applications of thiophene-based functional polymers

This review on some recent developments in thiopene-based functional polymers concentrates on (i) the synthetic trends for low bandgap and regioregular materials which occupy a central place in the recent advances in polythiopene, (ii) the interesting physics and chemistry of special properties such as chromism and luminescence, (iii) the effect of C-60 on the polymer and (iv) the formation and property of polythiopene LB films. Much progress has been made in the past few years in ameriolating the serious problems of solubility and processability of thiopene-based functional polymers. The same degree of effort should now be spent on the equally serious drawback concerning stability. Many potential applications can only be realised if the stability is able to cope with hostile device environments.