ELECTRIC-FIELD-INDUCED VOLUME CHANGES OF POLY(3-BUTYLTHIOPHENE) GEL

Deformation of poly(3-butylthiophene)gel under electric fields was stu died. Poly(3-butylthiophene)gel was prepared by the electrochemical co polymerization of 3-butylthiophene and 1,8-di(3-thienyl)octane. Poly(3 -butyl)thiophene gel was shrunken in THF solution of Bu(4)NCl(4)4 by a pplying de electric fields. A change of color from orange to blue was also observed during the shrinking deformation. When the polarity of t he applied field was changed, the gel returned to its initial volume a nd color. The electric-field-associated deformation occurred through e lectrical interactions between thiophene rings in the gel and ClO4-,- as a dopant.