100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Fundamentals for the Future of Macromolecular Nitroxide Radicals

摘要

Macromolecular radicals, radical polymers, and polyradicals bear unique functionalities derived from their pendant radical groups. The increasing need for organic functional materials is driving the growth in research interest in macromolecular radicals for batteries, electronics, memory, and imaging. This Viewpoint summarizes the current state-of-knowledge regarding the macromolecular nitroxide radicals' redox mechanism, conductivity, chain conformation, controlled polymerization, network structure, conjugated forms, and applications. The nitroxide radical group is the focus because it is the most widely studied. Although most literature focuses upon applications, an emerging body of work is highlighting the fundamental physicochemical properties of macromolecular radicals. To this end, this Viewpoint recommends areas of opportunity in fundamental studies and best practices in reporting.