Electrochemical polymerization of a β–β linkages polythiophene derivative based on 2,5-diphenyl-thiophene

Poly(2,5-diphenyl-thiophene) (PDPT) is polymerized electrochemically in pure boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). FT-IR characterization approves that PDPT is a β–β linkages polymer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests show that the as-grown polymer exhibits reversible and stable redox behaviors. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) observation indicates that the morphology of the as-grown PDPT film is relatively smooth and compact. And the soluble part of PDPT in CHCl3 can emit strong blue light, implying that PDPT exhibits a wider bandgap than polythiophene.