Role of surfactants in the electrosynthesis and the electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of poly(3-methoxythiophene) films in aqueous micellar media

Poly(3-methoxythiophene) (PMOT) films were electrosynthesized on Pt electrodes by oxidation of (3-methoxythiophene) (MOT) in aqueous micellar media, using different types (anionic, cationic and neutral) of surfactants. The films were characterized with a view to investigating the influence of the surfactant on their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. The cyclic voltammograms of the films indicate a good redox behavior, the peak positions (current density and potential) depending on the nature of surfactant. XPS measurements showed the incorporation of surfactant ions in the films, which modified the doping level values. The faradic yields were found to increase notably from cationic to anionic surfactants. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the film composition is also affected by a change in the micellar medium composition.