Kinetics of crystallization of poly(octylthiophene) conducting gels. NMR approach

Conjugated poly(octylthiophene) (POT) gels are semi-crystalline. Their kinetics of crystallization are observed from 1H-NMR versus temperature, T, and crosslink concentration. Crystalline ratios are quantitatively determined. They depend on the thermal gel history and on the crosslink ratio. Two mechanisms of crystallization are detected which are characterized by different crystallization rates. They are controlled either by a slow arrangement of main chains (T>100 °C) or by a fast ordering of side-chains (T<100 °C). The most crosslinked gels exhibit only side chains ordering.