Conductive Block Copolymers Integrated into Polynorbornene-Derived Scaffolds

The synthesis and electrochemical properties of novel block copolymers are reported. Three different norbornene derivatives having phenylene-thiophene, phenylene-bithiophene, and phenylene-furan structures were copolymerized with either norbornene or 7-oxanorbornene derivatives via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Block copolymers’ stabilities and solubilities could be improved by hydrogenation of double bonds in the polymer backbone. The block copolymers were subsequently cross-linked by anodic electropolymerization of phenylene-heterocycle moieties, affording conducting polymers. All of these three block copolymers were readily deposited on the electrode substrates, and their cyclic voltammograms (CVs) revealed an excellent reversibility in the redox cycles.