NEW CATION-EXCHANGE MATERIAL BASED ON A SULFONATED 3,4-ETHYLENEDIOXYTHIOPHENE MONOMER

The electrochemical oxidation, in aqueous medium, of a 3,4-ethylenedio xythiophene monomer functionalized by a sulfonate group exhibiting cat ion-exchange properties, allows the synthesis of a new type of water-s oluble material. In order to synthesize in water, by oxidative electro polymerization, polymer films of controlled thickness containing attac hed sulfonate groups, we have investigated the polymerization of the f unctionalized monomer in the presence of the unsubstituted one without supporting electrolyte. Using an equimolar mixture (0.01 mol/l) of bo th monomers, copolymers exhibiting cation exchange abilities have been synthesized. As an example, the easy incorporation of hexaamine-ruthe nium(ILL) into one of these copolymers is briefly reported.