Effects of the redox state on the morphology of the regioregular sexi-3-alkylthiophene

The electrochemical properties of solid phase alpha -monochloro substituted regioregular 3-alkylthiophene consisting of six units of 3-octylthiophene (6OT) were studied in nonaqueous electrolyte solutions using cyclic voltamm etry and electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC AFM). As confirmed by voltammetry, the 6OT molecules in an oxidized form of monocation radical ar e not subject to consecutive reactions, due to the presence of the alpha -s ubstituent. In situ AFM images of the thin films of 6OT cast on metal subst rates revealed reversible, drastic changes of the film morphology while app lied potential was switched between values corresponding to the particular redox state. Dimerization of the oligomers and pi -stacks formation is post ulated to explain the observed morphology changes in the 6OT films. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.