Structural and electrochemical properties of polythiophene

• Published in: Applied surface science 2011-08, Vol.257 (21), p.9063-9067
• Main Authors: Senthilkumar, B., Thenamirtham, P., Kalai Selvan, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical oxidative polymerization; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Doppler effect; Electrode materials; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Ionic surfactants; Oxidants; Physics; Polymerization; Polythiophene; Redox supercapacitor; Specific capacitance; Spectra; Surfactants; Voltammetry
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.05.100

► Polythiophenes were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization method in presence and absence of three different surfactants. ► The surfactant changes the morphology of the polythiophene ► The higher specific capacitance of 117 F/g was obtained for the polythiophene prepared with TRITRON X-100. Polythiophenes (PTs) were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization method in presence and absence of three different (cationic – CTAB, anionic – SDS and non-ionic – Triton X-100) surfactants using FeCl 3 as oxidant. The prepared PTs were characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis, XRD, SEM and cyclic voltammetry studies. The FT-IR spectra inferred the polymerization of thiophene and elucidate the corresponding functional groups of PTs. Our results on the UV–Vis spectra demonstrate the n− π* electronic transition of the conjugated molecules. Further the red shift in the absorption peak confirms the longer conjugation length of PTs. The amorphous nature of the PTs was inferred from the XRD pattern. The PTs prepared with surfactant exhibited different morphology compared to PT prepared without surfactant. The specific capacitances (SC) of the prepared PTs were calculated using cyclic voltammetry technique, the PT prepared with TRITRON X-100 exhibited higher SC of 117 F/g compared to SC of surfactant free PT (78 F/g). Hence, the PTs prepared with surfactants were found to be suitable electrode materials for redox supercapacitors.