Preparation and characterization of polyacrylate functionalized polythiophene films

Abstract

This paper is based on the effect of precursors’ structure on the resultant electropolymers’ electrochemical and optical and thermal properties. The polyacrylate functionalized thiophene with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) was synthesized by means of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and then the free-standing and conducting conjugated polyacrylate functionalized polythiophene (R-PTE-PAA) film was prepared through electropolymerization in CH2Cl2 with 50% BFEE (boron trifluoride diethyl etherate). For comparison, the polyacrylate functionalized polythiophene (PTE-PAA) was also prepared with the precursor of a broad PDI from conventional free radical polymerization. The prepared polymers were characterized by UV-vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The R-PTE-PAA film showed the excellent electrochemical behavior, good blue-light property and high thermal stability. Compared with PTE-PAA, the R-PTE-PAA film presented the better electrochemical reversibility and stability. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the R-PTE-PAA film would be important for applications in electrochromics, supercapacitors and electrochemical sensors.