Synthesis and characterization of new conjugated materials based on benzobisazoles and their incorporation into electronic devices

Benzobisazoles (specifically benzobisoxazoles and benzobisthiazoles) have proven themselves to be useful heterocycles when included as part of conjugated materials. Unfortunately, the traditional reaction conditions that are used to produce these moieties are rather harsh. This work discloses easier, softer methods for the production of benzobisazoles and their subsequent incorporation into some of the first organic soluble benzobisazole containing conjugated polymers. These materials are then incorporated into electronic devices including solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and field effect transistors. The evaluation of device performances along with basic chemical and physical characterization such as NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction, among others, are used to establish links between chemical structure and overall material function, which can then be used to guide future research efforts