Conjugated Depolymerizable Organic Excitonic Polymeric Materials: A Platform for Functional and Sustainable Electronics


Journal article


Robert Posey, Kapil C Akula, Yoan C Simon, Joshua Tropp
ChemRxiv, 2026

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Cite

APA   Click to copy
Posey, R., Akula, K. C., Simon, Y. C., & Tropp, J. (2026). Conjugated Depolymerizable Organic Excitonic Polymeric Materials: A Platform for Functional and Sustainable Electronics. ChemRxiv.


Chicago/Turabian   Click to copy
Posey, Robert, Kapil C Akula, Yoan C Simon, and Joshua Tropp. “Conjugated Depolymerizable Organic Excitonic Polymeric Materials: A Platform for Functional and Sustainable Electronics.” ChemRxiv (2026).


MLA   Click to copy
Posey, Robert, et al. “Conjugated Depolymerizable Organic Excitonic Polymeric Materials: A Platform for Functional and Sustainable Electronics.” ChemRxiv, 2026.


BibTeX   Click to copy

@article{robert2026a,
  title = {Conjugated Depolymerizable Organic Excitonic Polymeric Materials: A Platform for Functional and Sustainable Electronics},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {ChemRxiv},
  author = {Posey, Robert and Akula, Kapil C and Simon, Yoan C and Tropp, Joshua}
}

Organic excitonic polymeric materials underpin a wide range of optoelectronic, photonic, and biointerfacing technologies, from organic photovoltaics and light-emitting devices to near-infrared imaging and organic bioelectronics. With increased use in biological, wearable, and environmentally transient contexts, the need and interest for chemically degradable and depolymerizable organic excitonic systems is growing more apparent. Traditionally, high excitonic and electronic performance has been associated with uninterrupted π-conjugation along polymer backbones. However, emerging evidence demonstrates that efficient excitonic function can persist, and in some cases be enhanced, in architectures that intentionally break or segment conjugation. In this Perspective, we examine recent advances in degradable organic excitonic conjugated polymers through an architecture-driven lens, spanning fully conjugated backbones, partially conjugated and pseudo-conjugated polymers, and systems incorporating dynamic covalent linkages. By summarizing developments across organic electronics, photonic nanomaterials, and bioelectronics, we highlight common excitonic principles that unify these seemingly disparate approaches. We further discuss how conjugation breaking and dynamic bonding expand the design space for sustainable and transient conjugated polymers. Finally, we outline key challenges and opportunities for future research. This Perspective aims to provide a conceptual framework for designing nextgeneration organic excitonic materials that balance functional performance with controlled degradation and circular lifecycle considerations.