The Electrochemical Behavior of Conducting Polymers Derived from the Oxidation of Thiophene and 3-Methylthiophene Oligomers: Electrodeposition of the Oligomers by Potential Cycling

Abstract

The electrochemical polymerization of thiophene, 3-methylthiophene and several unsubstituted and 3-methyl substituted thiophene oligomers using an applied cyclic potential wave form is examined. In all cases the polymer films formed by potential cycling are electrochemically unstable compared to those formed by constant potential oxidation. Also, except for the two tetrathiophene unit oligomers, the nature of the polymer film cyclic voltammograms are distinctly different for the two preparative methods. Differences in polymer chain lengths and morphology are suggested.

Key Words:

• Conducting Polymers
• Potential Cycling Electrodeposition
• Polythiophene
• Cyclic Voltametry
• Electrooxidation