Electrochemical synthesis of electroactive polytriphenylamine

In this paper the electrochemical synthesis of polytriphenylamine is shown for the first time. The electrochemical oxidation of triphenylamine (TPA) in nonpolar solvents leads to the formation of oligomers of TPA in solution and the formation of a polymer film with TPA as repeating unit. Cyclic voltammetry of these electrochemically produced TPA films is compared to that of chemically produced polytriphenylamine what demonstrates a similar electrochemical behaviour. From FTIR spectra of the polymer film it is concluded that the electrochemically formed polymer is more crosslinked than the chemically produced one. Therefore, it is a very stable redox polymer and a promising candidate for application in batteries, electrochromic displays, sensors or organic electronic devices.