Synthesis and properties of poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid) and its networks via electropolymerization

The brittle property of poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid) film has been rectifie d via network formation, as derived from electropolymerization of 3-thiophe neacetic acid with 3,3'-bithiophene or hexamethylene diisocyanate-bithiophe ne, without losing its conductivity and self-doping property. Solvent swell ing behaviors of poly(3-thiophene acetic acid) and its network films rely o n the film composition and solvent. The network film crosslinked by 3,3'-bi thiophene exhibits a drastic volume change when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees C. The passivation mechanism proposed here explains the electrical conductivity's decrease and the LR spectra's changes after iodine doping. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.