Characterization of complicated electropolymerization using UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry and an electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation: A case study of tricarbazole derivatives

Manlin Zhao; Xiaohui Tang; Huanhuan Zhang; Cheng Gu; Yuguang Ma

Electrochemistry Communications (Feb 2021)

Characterization of complicated electropolymerization using UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry and an electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation: A case study of tricarbazole derivatives

Manlin Zhao,
Xiaohui Tang,
Huanhuan Zhang,
Cheng Gu,
Yuguang Ma

Affiliations

Manlin Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Xiaohui Tang: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Huanhuan Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China (Y. Ma).
Cheng Gu: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China (Y. Ma).
Yuguang Ma: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Corresponding authors at: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, No. 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe Distinct, Guangzhou 510640, PR China (Y. Ma).

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 123
p. 106913

Abstract

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Electropolymerization is an effective way to produce conducting polymers. However, most complex electropolymerization mechanisms have not been elucidated due to the limitations of measurement techniques. Factors such as reaction potentials, intermediate structures and polymerization positions can have a strong influence on the mechanism, especially for complicated multi-electron processes. In this research, three tricarbazoles are chosen as examples to investigate the effects of substituents on their electropolymerization. Ionic species and mass changes are tracked using in situ UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry and an electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation. The results reveal a multi-step electron transfer process with different mechanisms, in which H-3Cz preferentially forms long-chain polymers and can be more easily doped/dedoped at inner carbazole positions than P-3Cz and E-3Cz, due to the higher activity of the radical cation and smaller steric hindrance.

Published in Electrochemistry Communications

ISSN: 1388-2481 (Print); 1873-1902 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Industrial electrochemistry; Science: Chemistry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/electrochemistry-communications

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