Electrosynthesis and spectroelectrochemical characterization of poly(3,4-dimethoxy-thiophene), poly(3,4-dipropyloxythiophene) and poly(3,4-dioctyloxythiophene) films

Abstract

Poly(3,4-dialkoxythiophene) films with different length of alkyl chain (1,3 and 8 carbon atoms) were obtained on Pt and ITO electrodes from the monomer solutions in acetonitrile by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The properties of the resulting films were studied by electrochemical methods, UV–Vis, FTIR and NMR spectra. The CVs were correlated with differential cyclic voltabsorptograms (DCVA) recorded at the absorption maxima to explain the shape of the voltammograms of the polymers studied, dependent on the alkyl-chain length in alkoxy group. The presence of the zones of different crystallinity in the polymer film was postulated. Significant influence of the type of the solvent on asymmetry of the cyclic voltammograms for the polymer doping–undoping has been discussed in terms of the solvent interaction with radical cation (polaron) delocalized on the alkoxy side groups. The polaron delocalization was proved by 1H-NMR spectra. Appearance of infrared activated vibrations (IRAVs) in the range 1500–600 cm −1 and a characteristic electronic band at 3300 cm −1 at the polarization potential +0.25 V versus Ag/Ag + and their gradual changes upon further polymer oxidation were interpreted in terms of evolution of different charge carriers in lightly and heavily doped polymer.