In situ FTIR Attenuated Total Reflectance study on the electrochemically synthesized copolymer of poly(paraphenylene) and poly(3-octylthiophene)

The electrochemical synthesis and redox response of a copolymer consisting of 3-octylthiophene and biphenyl units has been studied by Fourier Transfor m Infrared Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy. The IR bands of the n eutral copolymer film are compared with the bands of pure poly(paraphenylen e) and poly(3-octylthiophene) and also with a spectrum of the copolymer fil m taken ex situ by reflection technique. The growth of infrared active vibr ations are followed during oxidation of the copolymer film in monomer free electrolyte solution and the spectral feature above 2000 cm(-1) shows the t ransformation of the copolymer film from non-conducting to conducting form upon charging.