Nanostructured poly(2,2-bithiophene-co-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Synthesis, characterization, and properties

Abstract

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of poly(2,2-bithiophene) (PBT), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and poly(2,2-bithiophene-co-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (P(BT-co-EDOT)) copolymers via chemical and electrochemical oxidation polymerization methods. The P(BT-co-EDOT) nanoparticles made of conjugated polymers with different feed ratios of monomers were synthesized by chemical polymerization in the presence of anhydrous ferric chloride and mixtures of acetonitrile (CH3CN) and dichloromethane as a binary organic solvent. The polymers obtained were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and their thermal behaviors were examined by thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical conductivity of the samples was measured using samples in which the conductive materials were sandwiched between two nickel electrodes at room temperature. The surface morphology and crystallinity of the synthesized samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer, respectively. In electrochemical method, copolymer thin films were prepared with different feed ratios of monomers by cyclic voltammetry in an CH3CN-tetrabutheylamonium perchlorate solvent-electrolyte couple on the surface of the glassy carbon microelectrode as the working electrode. Deposition conditions and influence of the molar ratios of monomers on the electroactivity were investigated under cyclic voltammetric conditions. © The Author(s) 2014.