Electrochemical copolymerization of indole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene

The copolymerization of indole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was achieved electrochemically in acetonitrile containing lithium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte by direct anodic oxidation of the monomer mixtures on platinum and stainless steel electrodes. As-formed copolymers own both the advantages of polyindole (PIn) and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), i.e., good thermal stability, good electrochemical behavior, high conductivity and excellent ambient stability. The structure and morphology of the copolymer were investigated by UV-vis, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. (C) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.