Abstract

The present paper describes the preparation and characterization of stable aqueous dispersions of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) by a precipitation method. P3HT was first synthesized by oxidative polymerization of 3HT with iron(III) chloride as an oxidant. Number-average molecular weight (\(\overline{M}\)n) of P3HT increased with an increase in 3HT concentration. Colloidal particles were prepared by adding a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of P3HT into a large amount of distilled water. TEM observations showed that the particle size increased with an increase in the concentration and \(\overline{M}\)n of P3HT. The size of the particles was in the range of 50 to 600 nm. The spectral features of the aqueous dispersions were investigated by means of UV-vis spectroscopy. P3HT provided the π-π* absorption band at 436 nm in THF. On the other hand, the dispersions brought about a bathochromic shift of the bands and a larger red shift was observed as the polymer concentration became higher, indicating that P3HT would take a well-stacked structure in the particles. Temperature dependence of UV-vis absorption spectra for P3HT aqueous dispersions was also studied in the temperature range of 0 to 80 °C, which revealed that P3HT in the dispersed state showed a thermochromism similar to that of P3HT in THF.

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