Methods of making solid-state semiconducting films. The methods include forming a mixture by mixing at least two monomers in a pre-determined proportion such that at least one of the at least two monomers contains at least one non-conjugation spacer. Polymerization of the mixture is achieved by reacting the monomers with one another resulting in a solid state polymer which is then purified. The purified solid state polymer is dissolved in an organic solvent to form a homogenous solution which is then deposited onto a substrate, forming a solid-state semiconducting film by evaporating the solvent. Alternatively, the purified solid state polymer is deposited onto a substrate and heated to form a liquid melt, and cooling the liquid melt results in a solid state semiconducting thin film. Also, films comprising a semiconducting polymer composition containing a minimum of one non-conjugation spacer and devices comprising such films.

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.

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.

Hydrocarbon proton exchange membranes are disclosed that are composed of a material including a hydrophobic main chain, and acidic side chains. The main chain includes a polyaryl structure that is substantially free of ether linkages and also includes a fluoromethyl substituted carbon. The acidic side chains include a hydrocarbon tether terminated by a strongly acidic group, such as a fluoroalkyl sulfonate group. Chemical stability of the material is increased by removing the ether linkages from the main chain. The hydrophobic main chain and substantially hydrophilic side chains create a phase-separated morphology that affords enhanced transport of protons and water across the membrane even at low relative humidity levels. These materials are advantageous as membranes for use in fuel cells, redox flow batteries, water hydrolysis systems, sensors, electrochemical hydrogen compressors, actuators, water purifiers, gas separators, etc.

A hard mask-forming composition which forms a hard mask used in lithography, including: a resin containing an aromatic ring and a polar group; and a compound containing at least one of an oxazine ring fused to an aromatic ring, and a fluorene ring.

An electrochemical compressor utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer. The compressor may be part of a refrigeration system that pumps the working fluid in a closed loop through a condenser and an evaporator.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

A hard mask-forming composition which forms a hard mask used in lithography, including: a resin containing an aromatic ring and a polar group; and a compound containing at least one of an oxazine ring fused to an aromatic ring, and a fluorene ring.

A hard-mask forming composition, which is used for forming a hard mask used in lithography, including a first resin and a second resin, in which an amount of carbon contained in the first resin is 85% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of all elements constituting the first resin, and the amount of carbon contained in the second resin is 70% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of all elements constituting the second resin and less than the amount of carbon contained in the first resin.

The disclosure relates to compositions comprising a first structure of the formula:

##STR00001##

or a salt thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, Ar.sup.1, and n are defined herein. Materials, devices, and methods of using such compositions are also described.