Preparation And Properties Of Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) With Controllable Microstructures

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was successfully synthesized in aqueous system by an acid doping method. The molecular structures of the products were approved by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrums. Photographers taken by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope revealed that particles of the PEDOT were aggregations of nanorod with length of 55nm. The influences on the PEDOT reaction rates in aqueous system of dopants, temperature and oxidants were discussed. Membranes of PEDOT were synthesized by an acid doping method in which the initial concentration of acetic acid or hydrochloric acid was controlled. The mechanism of the formation of membrane was researched by FTIR, differential scanning calorimeter and ultra-visible spectrum. It was found that the concentration of hydrogen ion plays an important role. A hydrogen bond driven self-assembly process was proposed and a growing competition mechanism between hydrogen bond and covalent bond was found. Hollow spheres of PEDOT were synthesized by inducing bubbles into the self-assemble system and the structures of the spheres were characterized by SEM. The influence on the properties of morphologies of PEDOT was characterized and it was found that self-assemble method can improve the properties of PEDOT. PEDOT membranes have better electric properties and controllable absorption spectrums. The solubility of PEDOT can be improved by doping with acetic acid. When doped with hydrochloric acid, the solubility was reduced, however, PEDOT membranes doped with hydrochloric possess large specific surface area and have promising applications in many fields.