Yağcı Group is on the Cover of the European Polymer Journal

As the Cover of the European Polymer Journal: Light induced step-growth polymerization of Donor-Acceptor-Donor (DAD) type monomers based on thiophene

 Light-induced step-growth polymerization is attracting high attention in recent days. There is also an increasing interest in near-infrared light absorbing conjugated polymers. Recently, Yagci Group was able to combine these two hot topics in one pot in their recent research published as the cover of the European Polymer Journal with the collaboration of Toppare Group from Middle East Technical University.

Donor-acceptor-donor (DAD) type conjugated polymers are expected to exhibit significantly reduced band gap, enhanced mobility and charge separation making them perfect candidates for various applications including solar cells, OLEDs, photovoltaic cells and so on. Light-induced system is a crucial step for the sustainable production of DAD type polymer. Light induced systems are greener, more efficient and faster than conventional methods, moreover, they offer spatio-temporal control.

Overall, in this research, Dr. Kerem Kaya and colleagues under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Yusuf Yağcı discovered a new method to synthesize two new demandable molecules sustainably and investigated their optoelectronic properties.

This research and many others lead the way for Dr. Kerem Kaya to earn Olle Engkvist scholarship. Dr. Kaya is conducting research at Stockholm University on the synthesis and physical characterization of novel photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction.