Poly(3-nonylthiophene-co-methylthiophene)s: New soluble conductive copolymers

New conductive soluble copolymers of 3-nonylthiophene (3NT) and 3-methylthi ophene (3MT) were chemically synthetized using FeCl3 in chloroform solution as a catalyst at room temperature and a N-2 atmosphere. The structural pro perties of the undoped and iodine doped 3NT-co-3MT have been studied by UV- Vis, FTIR, 1H- and C-13-NMR, GPC, DSC, TGA, WAXD, magnetic susceptibility a nd charge transfer measurements. The results show that copolymers (3NT-co-3 MT) have a random arrangement. These copolymers have good thermal stability dependent on the 3NT. 3MT content and low magnetic susceptibility (typical for compounds of this class) which decreases with increasing temperature. The conductivity of the iodine doped copolymer (3NT-co-3MT) (measured in th e dark at room temperature) increases distinctly in comparison to the undop ed samples (2-8 x 10(-9) Sm-1). (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.