Abstract
The intrinsically conducting polymer, polythiophene, contains primarily alpha,alpha'-linkages, although some alpha,beta' and beta,beta'-linkages are known to occur. In the current study, the electrochemical behaviour of 2,5-dimethylthiophene, a thiophene compound bearing methyl groups at both the alpha-positions normally required for monomer coupling, is investigated. A thick black film was electrodeposited on the anode surface as a result of electrochemical polymerisation. XPS studies showed that the polymer was doped, with a ratio of 3.9 monomer units to each dopant anion. The film was redox inactive with a conductivity of 10(-6) S cm(-1). The tow conductivity was attributed to limited conjugation of pi-electrons along the polymer backbone due to steric effects and the presence of the beta,beta'-linkages. Oligomeric solution species of up to five monomer units, formed during electropolymerisation, were characterised by mass spectrometry.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 378-386 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Bulletin of Electrochemistry |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |