Synthesis of nanorods PEDOT by template-free self-assemble method

ORGN 626

Wei Feng Sr., weifeng@tju.edu.cn, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China and Yu Li, kikyounohala@yahoo.com.cn, Department of Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Univ, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT) nanorods with diameter in the 80-130nm range were first synthesized through template-free self-assemble method in the world using camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) as dopant and ferric chloride (FeCl3) as oxidant. We considered the slow rate of polymerization and sufficient functional dopant were the two crucial factors for the forming of one-dimensional morphology. Interestingly, these rod-like PEDOT showed boarder absorption band, much higher crystallinity and more excellent room temperature conductivity (about 300 S•cm-1) than previous products obtained by similar way. We supposed the slow rate of polymerization could also help the polymer chain achieve a better equtional state and improve the conjugated level as well as the doped level at the same time. Therefore, decrease the rate of polymerization is maybe a good access to improve many properties of conducting polymers through it takes the expense of product yield.