Facile Optimal Synthesis of Inherently Electroconductive Polythiophene Nanoparticles

Abstract

The straight dope: Polythiophene (PTh) nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution were successfully synthesized by a chemical oxidative polymerization (see image). The highest conductivity of virgin PTh is 3.1x10(-4) S cm(-1) and can be dramatically enhanced to 50 S cm(-1) by doping in iodine vapor.Polythiophene (PTh) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a simple chemical oxidative polymerization in the presence of a very small amount of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The polymerization yield, particle size, bulk electrical conductivity, and solubility of the PTh nanoparticles have been optimized by adjusting the CTAB/FeCl(3) oxidant/thiophene monomer ratio, thiophene concentration, polymerization temperature, and reaction time. The structure of the PTh nanoparticles was systematically characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, laser particle-size analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the number-average diameter (D(n)) and size polydispersity index (PDI) of the particles decrease significantly from 4.19 microm and 1.21 to 203 nm and 1.056, respectively, with a slightly increasing CTAB concentration. SEM and TEM reveal that the PTh particle size is reduced to 67 and 36 nm, respectively. The conductivity increases on raising the FeCl(3)/thiophene ratio or on lowering the CTAB concentration and polymerization temperature. A moderate monomer concentration and polymerization time are very beneficial for achieving highly conducting PTh. The highest conductivity of virgin PTh is 3.1x10(-4) S cm(-1) and can be further elevated to 50 S cm(-1) by doping in iodine vapor. Under optimized polymerization conditions, the significant variation of the conductivity of the PTh particles in virgin and doped states was well confirmed by the intensity and wavelength of the UV/Vis spectral band owing to the large pi conjugation. The PTh particles demonstrate uncommon characteristics including easy synthesis, low cost of production, large pi-conjugated structure, high conductivity, solution processability, and extensive potential for further application.

Synthesis of mesoporous polythiophene/MnO2 nanocomposite and its enhanced pseudocapacitive properties

“…While the band at 1662 cm −1 is normally ascribed to the O-H bending vibration from crystal or adsorbed water molecules [40]. Vibrations between 950 cm −1 and 1450 cm −1 originate from stretching or bending bands of PTh [43,44], suggesting the presence of PTh in the sample. The elemental analysis showed that the mass content of sulfur was 1.48 wt% in the sample, which indicated that the mass content of PTh was 3.79 wt%.…”

Installation of a reactive site for covalent wiring onto an intrinsically conductive poly(ionic liquid)

“…Nonetheless, the conductivity for the bromo-functionalized polymer remains higher than many typical polyalkylthiophenes [45,46]. The reduction in conductivity for the (p-doped) brominated polymer most likely arises from the reduced structural ordering and co-planarity of the polymerized thiophene backbone induced by insertion of the bromine on the thiophene ring.…”

Inhibition of hydrogen sulfide generation from disposed gypsum drywall using chemical inhibitors

“…SRB and IRB activity should both have been suppressed by the acidic column environment. In addition, FeCl 3 is also an oxidant for oxidation dehydrogenation, which may increase the redox potential to the level unfavorable for SRB growth [20,21].…”