Synthesis and characterization of cross-linked conjugated polymer milli-, micro-, and nanoparticles

The use of aqueous emulsions as the media when conducting cross-coupling reactions, instead of homogeneous solutions, produces covalently cross-linked conjugated polymer particles (see picture). The size of the spherical particles can easily be tuned over a wide range (mm to nm) by modification of the reaction conditions. The resulting materials are processable in the form of a suspension and promise to have interesting electronic properties.