S. Glenis et al., POLYFURAN - A NEW SYNTHETIC APPROACH AND ELECTRONIC-PROPERTIES, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 115(26), 1993, pp. 12519-12525
Polyfuran films have been synthesized by electropolymerization of terf
uran and investigated as a function of film preparation conditions in
both the doped and undoped state. These films have been characterized
by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical absorp
tion, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, dc conductivity, and electron
spin resonance measurements. The electrolyte anion (dopant) used for t
he preparation of these films heavily influences the pi-conjugated sys
tem of the polymer backbone. Structural disorder and doping level depe
nds on the nature of the electrolyte anion. CF3SO3- was found to be th
e best dopant and to cause the least structural disorder or furan ring
opening. Electrical conductivities as high as 2 X 10(-3) S/Cm were ob
tained in the CF3SO3--doped state. The temperature dependence of the e
lectrical conductivity indicates a thermally activated process with se
miconductor-like behavior. The charge transport properties are explain
ed in terms of polaron and bipolaron states. The polymer band gap was
measured at 2.35 eV.