Processable Coordination Polymer Inks for Highly Conductive and Robust Coatings

Abstract

The unique properties and processability of conducting and semiconducting organic materials have fascinated scientists since their discovery. Of this broad class of materials, conductive coordination polymers are of immense recent interest due to their innate modularity and tunability. However, these materials are typically generated as powders and, in some cases, single crystals which significantly limits possible processing and many applications. Herein, we report a method that enables solution-phase processing of a previously reported highly conductive coordination polymer, NiTTFtt (TTFtt = tetrathiafulvalenetetrathiolate), into thin films and conductive textiles. Thin films of NiTTFtt show record-breaking conductivity for a coordination polymer and unusual physical behavior that sheds light on the transport mechanisms in this glassy metallic material. Textiles coated with NiTTFtt are conductive and durable to air, water, washing, acid, base, and mechanical cycles. The properties and processability of NiTTFtt reported here make it notable among coordination polymers and conducting organic materials more broadly.