Synthesis and characterization of a liquid-like polythiophene and its potential applications

This work presents a method for the synthesis of a liquid-like polythiophene (L-Pth) by chemical oxidative polymerization of thiophene in dichloromethane. FeCl 3 was used as an initiator and nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (NPES) as a dopant . The structures and physicochemical properties of the L-Pth were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fluorescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible photometer (UV–vis). Unlike conventional polythiophene, L-Pth is composed of NPES and polythiophene, and part of NPES is doped on the thiophene backbone. It exhibits a liquid-like behavior at room temperature. It is typical of a semiconductor with a relatively high electric conductivity of 1.2 S m −1 . Moreover, it turns high-energy blue light (in the ranges of 400–480 nm) into relative low-energy green light (peak at 515 nm), which makes it a potential filler for preparing a blue light protection film for eyes protection. The combination of the liquid behavior, excellent solubility and good electric conductivity also makes it a promising precursor for applications such as lightweight battery, super capacitor and anti-corrosion of metals.