Effect of anion and cation exchange on the electrochemical properties of poly(3-methylthiophene) in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMT) was synthesized in acetonitrile (AN) using BF 4 − , ClO 4 − , and CF 3 SO 3 − as doping anions and Li + and Et 4 N + as cations. The electrochemical characterization of these films was performed in aqueous solution using either the same electrolyte as for synthesis or an electrolyte with different anions or cations. The results are discussed on the basis of the structural and chemical parameters of the anions and their interaction with the polymer. It is shown that the nature of the anion plays a major role in the electrochemical behaviour of the polymer. It was found that the memory effect is associated with the CF 3 SO 3 − anion when used during the synthesis or in the electrochemical investigation.

Energy level alignment of polythiophene/ZnO hybrid solar cells

“…In particular, we focus on the electrolyte anion as it was shown to play a determining role on the polymer structure (the electrolyte cation only affects the behavior of polymer lms during charge-discharge processes). 11,12 The importance of the electrolyte anions is highlighted in the proposed mechanism of electropolymerization (Fig. 1).…”