Combining Step‐Growth and Chain‐Growth Polymerizations in One Pot: Light‐Induced Fabrication of Conductive Nanoporous PEDOT‐PCL Scaffold

Abstract

AbstractA novel method based on light‐induced fabrication of a poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polycaprolactone (PEDOT‐PCL) scaffold using phenacyl bromide (PAB) as a single‐component photoinitiator is presented. HBr released from the step‐growth polymerization of EDOT is utilized as an in situ catalyst for the chain‐growth polymerization of ε‐caprolactone. Detailed investigations disclose the formation of a self‐assembled nanoporous electroconductive scaffold (1.2 mS cm−1). Fluorescence emission spectra of the fabricated scaffold exhibit a mixed solvatochromic behavior, indicating specific interactions between the self‐assembled scaffold and solvents with varying polarities, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the same light‐induced technique can also be applied for bulk photopolymerization showcasing the versatility and wide‐ranging scope of the originated method. In brief, this study introduces a novel approach for light‐induced polymerization reactions that is merging step‐growth and chain‐growth mechanisms. This innovative approach is promising to facilitate in situ polymerization of monomers possessing diverse functionalities.