The effect of thiophene on the electropreparation and properties of polyani
line was investigated. The presence of thiophene in solutions of aniline in
acetonitrile accelerates the formation and causes an improvement in the co
nductivity of polyaniline films. A catalytic mechanism related to the role
of thiophene cation radicals which involves chemical and electrochemical ox
idation steps is proposed. In acidic solutions containing higher thiophene
to aniline concentration ratios thiophene enters into the structure of the
polymer forming a copolymer. The structure and properties of this novel con
ducting polymer were elucidated using cyclic voltammetry, GCMS, elemental a
nalysis and DSC methods. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved
.