Self-doped N-4-sulfopropylaniline–3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene copolymers

Abstract

Polymerization of N-4-sulfopropylaniline with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) in several molar ratios using ammonium persulfate yielded copolymers (PPrSO3H) consisting of N-4-sulfopropylaminophenylene (unit A) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-2,5-diyl (unit B). The corresponding copolymers (PBu) consisting of N-butylaminophenylene (unit C) and unit B were synthesized by the reaction of N-butylaniline and EDOT. The content of units A, B, and C in the copolymers depended on the monomer feed ratio. The ultraviolet–visible spectrum of PPrSO3H exhibited absorption peaks at approximately 420 nm and above 850 nm assignable, respectively, to polaron and bipolaron bands. The copolymers were subjected to electrochemical oxidation, which was dependent on the contents of units A and C. The electrical conductivity of PPrSO3H was found to be higher than that of PBu.