Improvement of the electrosynthesis and physicochemical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) using a sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar aqueous medium

Electrosynthesis of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films was perf ormed in a micellar aqueous solution containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS ) by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry on a pl atinum electrode. The electrocatalytic effect of SDS was characterized by a significant decrease of the EDOT oxidation potential (E-p) in the micellar medium relative to 0.1 M LiClO4 acetonitrile as well as aqueous solutions. Linear variation off, with SDS concentration indicated the formation of a pseudocomplex (K-eq = 5.4 x 10(3) M-1). PEDOT films were characterized elec trochemically and spectroscopically (UV-visible, X-ray photoelectron spectr oscopy, IR, Raman spectra). Regular, well-ordered, and adherent films were obtained in SDS medium. The PEDOT film morphologies investigated by atomic force microscopy suggested the possible presence of columnar structures whe n the electrosynthesis is performed in the micellar medium.