Conjugated copolymers are provided that can be processed in a variety of solvents and can be rendered solvent-resistant when needed. The copolymers can be solution cast from nonpolar, polar, and aqueous solvents. After casting a polymer layer, the polymer can be rendered solvent resistant, thereby providing for improved stability and multi-layer processing and in electrochromic devices where the polymer layer is in contact with a nonpolar or polar solvent or electrolyte. Methods of making the copolymers are also provided, as well as methods of solution casting the polymers from a variety of nonpolar organic, polar, and aqueous solvents. Electrochromic devices are demonstrated having electrode(s) containing these polymers, including a variety of supercapacitor devices capable of using organic, biological, and aqueous electrolytes. Some of these electrodes demonstrate superfast switching and large power densities, showing promise for applications in supercapacitor batteries.

A capacitor that is capable of exhibiting good properties under humid conditions is provided. The ability to perform under such conditions is due in part to selective control over the particular nature of the solid electrolyte and cathode coating that overlies the solid electrolyte. For example, the solid electrolyte contains pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles, which can help act as a blocking layer for any silver ions migrating through the capacitor. Likewise, the cathode coating also contains conductive metal particles (e.g., silver particles) that are dispersed within a resinous matrix. The resinous matrix includes a polymer that absorbs only a small amount of water, if any, when placed in a humid atmosphere.

A capacitor assembly that is capable of exhibiting good electrical properties even under a variety of conditions is provided. More particularly, the capacitor contains a capacitor element that includes a sintered porous anode body, a dielectric that overlies the anode body, and a solid electrolyte that overlies the dielectric. The solid electrolyte contains an adhesion layer that is positioned between an inner conductive polymer layer and an outer conductive polymer layer. The adhesion layer is formed from an organometallic compound and the outer layer is formed from pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles.

This invention relates to compositions of conducting polymers and their producing methods and applications in sensing technology. The present conducting polymer comprises an electron deficient and an electron rich building block in an alternated repeating unit which can function as sensors to detect, qualify or quantify analytes in fluid and exhibit chemiresistive property and stable performance in normal room temperature and air pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention provides compositions of conducting polymers and devices comprising the present compositions or conducting polymers for sensor application. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of detecting target molecules using compositions, conducting polymers or devices of the present invention. The target molecules include without limitation volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are indicative of the presence or stage or a disease, or indicative of a health status of a subject.

Described herein are anionic phenylene oligomers and polymers, and devices including these materials. The oligomers and polymers can be prepared in a convenient and well-controlled manner, and can be used in cation exchange 5 membranes. Also described is the controlled synthesis of anionic phenylene monomers and their use in synthesizing anionic oligomers and polymers, with precise control of the position and number of anionic groups.

The present disclosure provides phosphonated polymers that can be used, for example, as polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) and/or catalyst ionomeric binders for electrodes in PEM fuel cells, and more particularly for high-temperature PEM fuel cells. High-temperature PEM fuel cells that use phosphonated polymers of the present disclosure suffer from reduced or no acid leaching because, in at least some examples, phosphonic acid moieties are covalently bound to the backbone of the polymers. A phosphonated polymer include a backbone having one or more aromatic monomers, with each aromatic monomer having one or more phosphonic acid groups. A phosphonic acid group may include phosphonic acid or a functional group that is hydrolysable into phosphonic acid.

The present invention relates to polymers and copolymer including a poly(phenylene) structure, as well as a long tether. In some embodiments, the long tether facilitates a reaction between the poly(phenylene) structure and another subunit of a second polymer. In some embodiments, the tether is flexible.

Poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups are provided which have an alkaline-stable cation, such as imidazolium, introduced into a rigid aromatic polymer backbone free of ether bonds. Hydroxide exchange membranes or hydroxide exchange ionomers formed from these polymers exhibit superior chemical stability, hydroxide conductivity, decreased water uptake, good solubility in selected solvents, and improved mechanical properties in an ambient dry state as compared to conventional hydroxide exchange membranes or ionomers. Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells and hydroxide exchange membrane electrolyzers comprising the poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups exhibit enhanced performance and durability at relatively high temperatures.

The disclosed technology relates generally to apparatus comprising conductive polymers and more particularly to tag and tag devices comprising a redox-active polymer film, and method of using and manufacturing the same. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate and a conductive structure formed on the substrate which includes a layer of redox-active polymer film having mobile ions and electrons. The conductive structure further includes a first terminal and a second terminal configured to receive an electrical signal therebetween, where the layer of redox-active polymer is configured to conduct an electrical current generated by the mobile ions and the electrons in response to the electrical signal. The apparatus additionally includes a detection circuit operatively coupled to the conductive structure and configured to detect the electrical current flowing through the conductive structure.

A capacitor assembly that is capable of exhibiting good electrical properties even under a variety of conditions is provided. More particularly, the capacitor contains a capacitor element that includes a sintered porous anode body, a dielectric that overlies the anode body, and a solid electrolyte that overlies the dielectric. The solid electrolyte contains an adhesion layer that is positioned between an inner conductive polymer layer and an outer conductive polymer layer. The adhesion layer is formed from an organometallic compound and the outer layer is formed from pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles.