Vapor-Phase Polymerization of 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene:  A Route to Highly Conducting Polymer Surface Layers

A new synthetic route to poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDT) with a conductivity exceeding 1000 S/cm is described. The method is based on base-inhibited vapor-phase polymerization, where a surface covered with ferric p-toluenesulfonate as oxidant mixed with a volatile base (pyridine) is exposed t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecules 2004-06, Vol.37 (12), p.4538-4543
Main Authors: Winther-Jensen, Bjørn, West, Keld
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Polymers with particular properties
Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts
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Summary:A new synthetic route to poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDT) with a conductivity exceeding 1000 S/cm is described. The method is based on base-inhibited vapor-phase polymerization, where a surface covered with ferric p-toluenesulfonate as oxidant mixed with a volatile base (pyridine) is exposed to 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDT) vapors. The base is added to suppress an acid-initiated polymerization of EDT, leading to a product with little or no conjugation. The product of the base-inhibited vapor-phase polymerization is confirmed to be virtually identical to PEDT obtained by wet chemical oxidation by both spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. A possible reaction scheme for the acid-initiated polymerization is discussed.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma049864l