Substituted polythiophenes designed for optoelectronic devices and conductors

Polythiophenes are a very versatile class of conjugated polymers. Substitut ed polythiophenes can be tailored for various applications by designing the side groups to give the polymer different desired properties. Our work on preparing polythiophenes designed to have high stability in the doped state is described. We also discuss our efforts on tuning the colour of the emis sion from polythiophenes for use in polymer light-emitting diodes. Design c riteria for the synthesis of polythiophenes with high luminescence efficien cy for use in light-emitting diodes and lasers are also described. Finally, the design of polythiophenes for use in photodiodes is discussed.