Bio-derived catalysis for high-performance conductive polymers
Jun-Da Huang,1 Qifan Li,1 Chi-Yuan Yang1 and Simone Fabianoa* 
1Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, SE-60174 Norrköping, Sweden.*Email address: simone.fabiano@liu.se
Conductive polymers are revolutionizing wearable and bio-electronics, yet the scalable synthesis of high-performance n-type polymers remains a challenge. While p-type materials like PEDOT:PSS are widely produced, the development of efficient n-type counterparts has been hindered by complex synthetic pathways. In this work, we introduce a nature-inspired approach by leveraging α-tocopherylquinone (α-TQ), a bio-derived compound originating from vitamin E, as a sustainable catalyst for synthesizing the highly conductive polymer poly(benzodifurandione) (PBFDO). Vitamin E is naturally found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and green leafy plants, making α-TQ a compelling alternative to conventional synthetic catalysts. Our α-TQ-based method eliminates the need for post-reaction dialysis, a major bottleneck in large-scale polymer production, while also preventing catalyst aggregation. This results in exceptional electrical conductivity (>1320 S cm–1) with remarkable stability in ambient air for over 180 days. Beyond catalysis, residual α-TQ acts as a natural plasticizer, reducing the elastic modulus by over an order of magnitude, which enhances the polymer’s flexibility while maintaining high conductivity. Additionally, α-TQ lowers the thermal conductivity of PBFDO, optimizing it for energy-efficient applications. The scalability of this process is demonstrated by the production of high-conductivity ink in a 20 L reactor, highlighting its industrial feasibility. By harnessing a catalyst derived from a naturally occurring antioxidant, this work presents a sustainable and eco-friendly route to n-type polymer synthesis, reinforcing the role of forest- and plant-based materials in next-generation electronic technologies.