In-Situ Derivative Cyclic Voltabsorptometric Studies On Poly-3-Methylthiophene

Abstract

Spectroscopic behavior of poly-3-methylthiophene (P3MT) has been studied employing derivative cyclic volt-absorptometric (DCVA) techniques. In the DCVA technique, the derivative absorption signal (dA/dt) is recorded as a function of the applied potential. The dA/dt signals, the spectroscopic analog of electrochemical currents in cyclic voltammetry, are capable of monitoring the potential dependency for the absorption band effectively discriminating against nonfaradaic signals. The DCVA studies on the P3MT system show that the neutral form of P3MT, absorbing at 490 nm (at less than 0.3 V vs. Ag), changes to the radical cation form, which absorbs at 760 nm. Initially, the formation of the radical cation goes through an isosbestic point, indicating that the conversion of the neutral to radical (polaron) form is chemically reversible. However, upon increasing the electrode potential, the rate of the radical formation at 760 nm starts to decrease, with the formation of another band at about 1250 nm, attributable to a quinoid (bipolaron) form. This trend begins above about 0.6 V, shifting to a more positive voltage as the thickness of the film grows. This observation indicates that the electrochemical conversion of the neutral to radical form, followed by the quinoid form, is a slow process controlled by the diffusion of counter ions through the film. In-situ conductivity measurements as a function of applied potentials support the observed spectroscopic behavior.