Parallel Polymer Reactions of a Polyfluorene Derivative by Electrochemical Oxidation and Reduction

Wireless Electrochemical Gel Actuators

Soft actuators generate motion in response to external stimuli and are indispensable for soft robots, particularly future miniature robots with complex structure and motion. Similarly to conventional hard robots, electricity is suitable for the stimulation. However, previous electrochemical soft actuators require a tethered connection to a power supply, limiting their size, structure, and motion. Here, wireless electrochemical soft actuators composed of hydrogels and driven by bipolar electrochemistry are reported. Viologen, which dimerizes by one-electron reduction and dissociates by one-electron oxidation, is incorporated in the side chains of the gel networks and works as a reversible cross-link. Wireless and reversible electrochemical actuation of the hydrogels, i.e., muscle-like shrinking and swelling, is demonstrated at microscopic and even macroscopic scales.

Spiers Memorial Lecture: Old but new organic electrosynthesis: history and recent remarkable developments

Organic electrosynthesis has a long history. However, this chemistry is still new. Recently, we have seen its second renaissance with organic electrosynthesis being considered a typical green chemistry process. Therefore, a number of novel electrosynthetic methodologies have recently been developed. However, there are still many problems to be solved from a green and sustainable viewpoint. After an explanation of the historical survey of organic electrosynthesis, this paper focuses on recent remarkable developments in new electrosynthetic methodologies, such as novel electrodes, recyclable nonvolatile electrolytic solvents and recyclable supporting electrolytes, as well as new types of electrolytic flow cells. Furthermore, novel types of organic electrosynthetic reactions will be mentioned.

High-Throughput Electrosynthesis of Gradient Polypyrrole Film Using a Single-Electrode Electrochemical System

As an effective approach for materials synthesis, bipolar electrochemistry has been earning a renewed interest nowadays thanks to its unique features compared to conventional electrochemistry. Indeed, the wireless mode of electrode reactions and the generation of a gradient potential distribution above the bipolar electrode are among the most appealing qualities of bipolar electrochemistry. In particular, the gradient potential distribution is a highly attractive characteristic for the fabrication of surfaces with gradients in their chemical properties or molecular functionalities. Herein, we report the high-throughput electrosynthesis of gradient polypyrrole films by means of a new electrochemical cell design named the single-electrode electrochemical system (SEES). SEESs are made by attaching an inert plastic board with holes onto an indium tin oxide electrode, constructing multiple microelectrochemical cells on the same electrode. This type of arrangement enables parallel electrochemical reactions to be carried out simultaneously and controlled in a contactless manner by a single electrode. Several experimental conditions for polypyrrole film growth were extensively investigated. Furthermore, the gradient property of the polymer films was evaluated by thickness determination, surface morphology analysis, and contact angle measurements. The use of SEES has been demonstrated as a convenient and cost-effective strategy for high-throughput electrosynthesis and electroanalytical applications and has opened up a new door for gradient film preparation via a rapid condition screening process.

Phototriggered color modulation of perovskite nanoparticles for high density optical data storage

The perovskite nanocrystals-dichloromethane (PNCs-DCM) with tunable fluorescent color under UV light are a new kind of photoresponsive luminescent materials (PLMs), which are qualified to apply in optical data storage.

Electricity-Driven Post-Functionalization of Conducting Polymers

Electrochemical doping of conducting polymers (CPs) generates polarons (radical ionic species) and bipolarons (ionic species) in their backbone via multi-electron transfer between an electrode and the CP. In the electrochemical polymer reaction (ePR), these generated ionic species are regarded as reactive intermediates for further transformation of the chemical structures of CPs. This electrochemical post-functionalization can easily be used to control the degree of reactions by turning a power supply on/off, as well as tuning the applied electrode potential, which leads to fine-tuning of the various properties of the CPs, such as the HOMO/LUMO level and PL properties. This Account summarizes recent developments in the electrochemical post-functionalization of CPs. In particular, we focus on reaction design for the ePR, with respect to the preparation and structure of the precursor polymers, applicable functional groups, efficient reaction conditions, and electrolytic methodologies.

Bipolar Electrochemistry: A Powerful Tool for Electrifying Functional Material Synthesis

Electrosynthesis is a powerful method for the synthesis of organic, inorganic, and polymeric materials based on electron-transfer-driven reactions at the substrate/electrode interface. The use of electricity for synthetic reactions without the need for hazardous chemical oxidants and reductants is recognized as a green and sustainable method. Other advantages include control of the reaction selectivity by tuning the electrode potentials. A different mode for driving electrochemical reactions has recently been proposed, in which bipolar electrodes (BPEs) are available as wireless electrodes that undergo anodic and cathodic reactions simultaneously. Bipolar electrochemistry is an old technology that has recently garnered renewed attention because of the interesting features of BPEs: (i) the wireless nature of a BPE is useful for sensors and material synthesis; (ii) the gradient potential distribution on BPEs is a powerful tool for the preparation of gradient surfaces and materials; and (iii) electrophoresis is available for effective electrolysis. In addition to these unique features, a BPE system only requires a small amount of supporting electrolyte in principle, whereas a large amount of electrolyte is necessary in conventional electrochemistry. Hence, bipolar electrochemistry is an inherently green and sustainable chemical process for the synthesis of materials. In this Account, recent progress in bipolar electrochemistry for the electrosynthesis of functional materials is summarized. The wireless nature of BPEs was utilized for symmetry breaking to produce anisotropic materials based on the site-selective modification of conductive objects by electrodeposition and electropolymerization. Potential gradients on a BPE interface have been successfully used as controllable templates to form molecular or polymeric gradient materials, which are potentially applicable for high throughput analytical equipment or as biomimetic materials. The electric field necessary to drive BPEs is also potentially useful to induce the directed migration of charged species. The synergetic effects of electrophoresis and electrolysis were also successfully demonstrated to obtain various functional materials. These features of bipolar electrochemistry and the various combinations of techniques have the potential to change the methodologies of material synthesis. Furthermore, the fundamental principle of bipolar electrochemistry infers that very small amounts of supporting electrolyte are necessary for an electrode system, which is expected to lead new methods of sustainable organic electrosynthesis.

Recent Progress in Ionic Iridium(III) Complexes for Organic Electronic Devices

Ionic iridium(III) complexes are emerging with great promise for organic electronic devices, owing to their unique features such as ease of molecular design and synthesis, excellent photophysical properties, superior redox stability, and highly efficient emissions of virtually all colors. Here, recent progress on new material design, regarding photo- and electroluminescence is highlighted, including several interesting topics such as: i) color-tuning strategies of cationic iridium(III) complexes, ii) widespread utilization in phosphorescent light-emitting devices fabricated by not only solution processes but also vacuum evaporation deposition, and iii) potential applications in data record, storage, and sercurity. Results on anionic iridium(III) complexes and "soft salts" are also discussed, indicating a new related subject. Finally, a brief outlook is suggested, pointing out that ionic iridium(III) complexes should play a more significant role in future organic electronic materials technology.

The controlled synthesis of pillar[6]arene-based hexagonal cylindrical structures on an electrode surface via electrochemical oxidation

Electrochemical oxidation of pillar[6]arene containing six hydroquinones resulted in the formation of hexagonal cylindrical structures on an electrode surface driven by charge transfer interaction.

Utilization of Electrochromically Luminescent Transition-Metal Complexes for Erasable Information Recording and Temperature-Related Information Protection

Transition metal complexes containing pyrazinium or pyridinium moieties display reversible luminescence changes in response to electrical stimuli, which is useful in the development of erasable information recording electric devices. These complexes are also suitable for temperature-related information protection, since chemically-induced luminescence turn-on is temperature-dependent.

Electropolymerization on wireless electrodes towards conducting polymer microfibre networks

Conducting polymers can be easily obtained by electrochemical oxidation of aromatic monomers on an electrode surface as a film state. To prepare conducting polymer fibres by electropolymerization, templates such as porous membranes are necessary in the conventional methods. Here we report the electropolymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and its derivatives by alternating current (AC)-bipolar electrolysis. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) derivatives were found to propagate as a fibre form from the ends of Au wires used as bipolar electrodes (BPEs) parallel to an external electric field, without the use of templates. The effects of applied frequency and of the solvent on the morphology, growth rate and degree of branching of these PEDOT fibres were investigated. In addition, a chain-growth model for the formation of conductive material networks was also demonstrated.

Electropolymerization of aromatic monomers on bipolar electrodes is emerging as promising route to the surface modification of conductive objects. Here, the authors discover that some conducting polymers propagate as fibres, opening up the possibility of growing conductive polymer networks via a wireless process.

Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization from a substrate surface manipulated by bipolar electrolysis: fabrication of gradient and patterned polymer brushes

We report the first ever use of electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) employing a bipolar electrochemical method for the fabrication of both gradient and patterned polymer brushes. A potential gradient generated on a bipolar electrode allowed the formation of a concentration gradient of a Cu(I) polymerization catalyst through the one-electron reduction of Cu(II) , resulting in the gradient growth of poly(NIPAM) brushes from an initiator-modified substrate surface set close to a bipolar electrode. These polymer brushes could be fabricated in three-dimensional gradient shapes with control over thickness, steepness, and modified area by varying the electrolytic conditions. Moreover, by site-selective application of potential during bipolar electrolysis, a polymer brush with a circular pattern was successfully formed. Polymerization was achieved using both a polar monomer (NIPAM) and a nonpolar monomer (MMA) with the eATRP system.

Smart responsive phosphorescent materials for data recording and security protection

Smart luminescent materials that are responsive to external stimuli have received considerable interest. Here we report ionic iridium (III) complexes simultaneously exhibiting mechanochromic, vapochromic and electrochromic phosphorescence. These complexes share the same phosphorescent iridium (III) cation with a N-H moiety in the N^N ligand and contain different anions, including hexafluorophosphate, tetrafluoroborate, iodide, bromide and chloride. The anionic counterions cause a variation in the emission colours of the complexes from yellow to green by forming hydrogen bonds with the N-H proton. The electronic effect of the N-H moiety is sensitive towards mechanical grinding, solvent vapour and electric field, resulting in mechanochromic, vapochromic and electrochromic phosphorescence. On the basis of these findings, we construct a data-recording device and demonstrate data encryption and decryption via fluorescence lifetime imaging and time-gated luminescence imaging techniques. Our results suggest that rationally designed phosphorescent complexes may be promising candidates for advanced data recording and security protection.

Electropolymerization of polypyrrole by bipolar electrochemistry in an ionic liquid

Bipolar electrochemistry has been recently explored for the modification of conducting micro- and nanoobjects with various surface layers. So far, it has been assumed that such processes should be carried out in low-conductivity electrolytes in order to be efficient. We report here the first bipolar electrochemistry experiment carried out in an ionic liquid, which by definition shows a relatively high conductivity. Pyrrole has been electropolymerized on a bipolar electrode, either in ionic liquid or in acetonitrile. The resulting polymer films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and by contact profilometry. We demonstrate that the films obtained in an ionic liquid are thinner and smoother than the films synthesized in acetonitrile. Furthermore, a well-defined band of polypyrrole can be obtained in ionic liquid, in contrast to acetonitrile for which the polypyrrole film is present on the whole anodic part of the bipolar electrode.