Enhanced Molecular Order
in Polythiophene Films Electropolymerized
in a Mixed Electrolyte of Anionic Surfactants and Boron Trifluoride
Diethyl Etherate
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Abstract
We synthesized polythiophene (PTh) films on stainless
steel electrodes
using chronoamperometry in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE)
electrolyte with anionic surfactants. The presence of the anionic
surfactants in BFEE reduced the oxidation potential of thiophene and
increased the oxidation current during electropolymerization. The
measured in-plane electrical conductivity of PTh films synthesized
in the presence of anionic surfactants was up to 300% higher than
that of films synthesized under similar conditions without surfactants.
The observed increase in conductivity reflects the improved order
and packing of polymer chains revealed by X-ray diffraction