Electrochemical synthesis of electroactive polytriphenylamine

In this paper the electrochemical synthesis of polytriphenylamine is shown for the first time. The electrochemical oxidation of triphenylamine (TPA) i n nonpolar solvents leads to the formation of oligomers of TPA in solution and the formation of a polymer film with TPA as repeating unit. Cyclic volt ammetry of these electrochemically produced TPA films is compared to that o f chemically produced polytriphenylamine what demonstrates a similar electr ochemical behaviour. From FTIR spectra of the polymer film it is concluded that the electrochemically formed polymer is more crosslinked than the chem ically produced one. Therefore, it is a very stable redox polymer and a pro mising candidate for application in batteries, electrochromic displays, Sen sors or organic electronic devices. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.