Water-Processable Self-Doped Conducting Polymers Via Direct (Hetero)Arylation Polymerization

The synthesis of water-processable self-doped polymers has been achieved by direct (hetero)arylation polymerization (DHAP) using water as a cosolvent. The introduction of a counterion covalently attached to the backbone of the polymers enhanced their solubility and the stability of the solutions. Those polymers have shown air-stable electrical conductivities up to 50 S cm(-1) without the use of any post-treatment. The good water processability of these conducting polymers is promising for printed electronics in a wide range of applications.