Potential Dependence of the Relative Conductivity of Poly(3-methylthiophene): Electrochemical Reduction in Acetonitrile and Liquid Ammonia

摘要

We report chemically reversible electrochemical reduction of poly 3-(methylthiophene) and electrical and optical properties for the reduced material. It is well-known that large increases in conductivity occur upon oxidation of a number of thiophene-based polymers. Recently, conducting polymers have been shown to have a finite potential window of high conductivity upon oxidation. In the case of poly(3-methylthiophene) oxidation to yield the nonconducting oxidized state requires the use of unusual media to minimize degradation. This result has prompted us to examine poly(3-methylthiophene) at the opposite extreme, reduction, to completely define the potential dependence of conductivity. Reprints. (MJM)