Nanotubular structures via templateless electropolymerization using thieno[3,4-b]thiophene monomers with various substituents and polar linkers

Abstract

In this work, we investigate original thieno[3,4-b]thiophene monomers with polar carbamate linkers and various substituents and demonstrate the ability to prepare nanoporous structures via templateless, surfactant-free electropolymerization in organic solvent (dichloromethane). Including a significant amount of water in the electropolymerization solvent often leads to the formation of nanoporous structures with tunable size and surface hydrophobicity. Here, hollow spheres or nanorings are observed with thieno[3,4-b]thiophene monomers with alkyl chains. By contrast, using thieno[3,4-b]thiophene monomers with aromatic groups nanotubular structures are observed. For most of them, an increase in the surface hydrophobicity and water adhesion is observed. These innovative surfaces and the ease at which they can be fabricated are extremely interesting for applications in water harvesting systems, separations membranes, opto-electronic devices as well as for sensors.