Electrochemical Polymerization of Thianaphthene in Mixed Electrolytes of Boron Trifluoride Diethyl Etherate and Trifluoroacetic Acid

Abstract

Substrate‐supported polythianaphthene (PTN) films have been electrochemically synthesized by direct oxidation of thianaphthene on platinum or stainless steel electrode in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The oxidation potentials of the monomer in these media are considerably lower than those in neutral solvents. Increasing the content of TFA in the mixed electrolytes can effectively decrease the oxidation potential and increase the coupling rate of the monomer. On the other hand, a high TFA concentration can result in a negative effect on the properties of the as‐formed polymer. The mixed electrolyte of BFEE + 16.7% TFA was found to be the most suitable medium for the electrosyntheses of PTN. PTN in dedoped state is soluble in usual strong polar organic solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that the polymer is a blue light emitter.

Electrodeposition of High-quality Polycarbazole Films in Composite Electrolytes of Boron Trifluoride Diethyl Etherate and Ethyl Ether

“…The polymer has peaks at 880 and 804 cm )1 , evidence for the presence of the trisubstituted benzene ring [24], indicating the occurrence of polymerization on the benzene ring. In addition, the band at 1240 cm )1 ( Figure 5A) increases and shifts downwards to 1234 cm )1 (Figure 5B), which is related to C-C deformation [42]. This indicates that a new C-C bond between two monomers has formed, which also confirms the formation of PCZ.…”

“…Under these circumstances, BFEE serves not only as the solvent but also as the supporting electrolyte and no other supporting electrolyte is needed. On the other hand, investigations on the electrochemical polymerization of fused ring compounds, such as thianaphthene [42], naphthalene [43], benzofuran [44] and indole [45], have been carried out in BFEE. However, as far as we know there have been no reports on the electrochemical polymerization of carbazole in BFEE.…”

Effect of substituent position on electrodeposition, morphology, and capacitance performance of polyindole bearing a carboxylic group

“…Currently, there are many indole derivatives containing functional groups such as -NO 2 [25,26], -CN [27,28], -COOH [29], -Br [30], -Cl [31], -F [31], -CH 3 [32,33], -OCH 3 [34], -C 6 H 5 [35], -CHO [36] and -NH 2 [37,38], which can be polymerized into the polyindoles family. Among polyindole derivatives, the carboxylic substituent on polyindole benefits the formation of nanowires possibly due to the hydrogen bond interactions [39], and may lead to the higher capacitance and the better cycling stability relative to unmodified polyindole [40,41].…”

Electrosyntheses of free-standing poly(thiophene-3-acetic acid) film in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and trifluoroacetic acid

“…It is seen obviously that the oxidation potential of TAA in BFEE+ 25% TFA is the lowest. The addition of TFA into BFEE may lead to the formation of π-complexes between the monomer and the strong acid, which reduces the resonance of the aromatic ring and synchronously enhances the stability of the radical cations [33] . The lower the oxidation potential is, the fewer defects the polymer film has.…”