Continuous human population growth, industrialization, and technical progress have increased the demand for a new design and synthesis of chemical compounds. Developing eco-friendly chemical compounds has been a priority for fostering a sustainable and healthy environment, which is directly linked to human well-being. In this context, green chemistry and circular economy principles have been applied to generate valuable new chemicals, such as surfactants, with high market value. Surfactants play a crucial role in various products for both domestic and industrial applications, leading to their large-scale production a diverse array of chemical structures. However, the advantages of their use must be balanced against their negative environmental impact as pollutants. Thus, there is an increasing demand for the development of new eco-friendly surfactants. Additionally, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of new surfactants are essential for evaluating their environmental impact, enhancing energy efficiency and facilitating the transition toward sustainable energy resources. In this work, we present the chemical synthesis of oligomeric and polymeric thiophene-based surfactants with potential applications in biosensors, organic transistors, and various other fields. The newly synthesized oligomeric and polymeric thiophene-based surfactants demonstrated medium-to-high biodegradation potential and showed no significant ecotoxicological effects on bacterial communities. However, the LCA of their synthesis revealed a negative impact on the environment and human health, particularly concerning polymeric thiophene-based surfactants. The LCA identified specific chemical steps that could be optimized to develop a new generation of eco-friendly surfactants.

The engineering of conjugated oligo- and polymers at the micro- and nanoscale is crucial for developing advanced functional materials and electronic devices, such as OFETs, OLEDs, and sensors, due to their electronic and optoelectronic properties being highly dependent on their supramolecular order. This research investigates the self-assembly and aggregation behavior of a series of amphiphilic oligothiophenes with varying hydrophilic/hydrophobic balances, synthesized through palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The molecular structures were characterized using NMR and mass spectrometry, and their optical properties were examined by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy, revealing distinct absorption maxima influenced by the molecular architecture. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and cryotransmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) studies demonstrated the formation of spherical aggregates with diameters around 200 nm in aqueous solutions, consistent with scattering measurements indicating low critical micelle concentrations (cmc). Adsorption isotherms and Brewster Angle Microscopy (BAM) highlighted the interfacial properties and interactions of these amphiphilic molecules at air/water interface, emphasizing the impact of their structural features on self-assembly and material properties. These findings underscore the potential of amphiphilic oligothiophenes in tuning solution self-assembly, morphology, and optoelectronic characteristics for applications in advanced electronic materials.

Electronic waste is becoming a growing global pollution issue due to short device lifespans and insufficient safe disposal methods. Hazardous metals like arsenic and mercury from electronic waste harm both the environment and human health. Recycling processes remain underdeveloped, requiring new eco-friendly solutions. This paper reports on the synthesis and properties of the cationic surfactants ammonium terthiophene (CTT) and 3,4-propylene-dioxythiophene (C-ProDOT), which may have potential use in organic electronics. Ecotoxicological tests showed no significant long-term toxicity and medium-to-high biodegradability, which are keys for environmental protection. These surfactants also displayed selective bacterial adhesion, making them candidates for bionic devices. Life cycle assessment revealed higher energy use and ecotoxicity for C-ProDOT than CTT, underscoring the need for sustainable chemical design.