High-Refractive-Index Polymers Derived from Chalcogen-Containing Monomers via SuFEx Polymerization

Polymeric optical materials have attracted considerable attention as alternatives to conventional inorganic and metallic optical materials owing to their lightweight nature, excellent processability, mechanical flexibility, and cost-effective manufacturing. However, their practical application in advanced optical devices is often limited by relatively low refractive indices and insufficient thermal stability. To overcome these limitations, this study aims to develop new high-refractive-index polymeric materials based on chalcogen-containing aromatic monomers. Chalcogen elements, such as sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, possess high electronic polarizability and are therefore expected to effectively enhance the refractive index of polymeric materials.

The target polymers will be synthesized through Sulfur Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx) polymerization, a representative click chemistry reaction known for its high efficiency, selectivity, and functional-group tolerance. By combining highly polarizable chalcogen-containing monomers with the advantages of SuFEx chemistry, this work seeks to produce transparent polymers with simultaneously high refractive indices and excellent thermal stability. The outcomes of this research are expected to provide new molecular design strategies for advanced polymeric optical materials and expand their potential applications in optical and photonic devices.