Raman spectra of electrosynthesized polyfuran: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Polyfuran (Pfu) films have been electrochemically deposited on slick platinum or gold electrodes via the direct oxidation of furan in a mixed electrolyte of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and ethyl ether (1:1, by volume). The Raman spectra of the obtained films, both in the doped and dedoped states, were studied. Experimental results demonstrated that the Raman spectrum of Pfu in the doped state was different from that of neutral Pfu. Five bands related to the oxidized species were observed from the spectrum of doped Pfu and confirmed by in situ Raman spectroelectrochemical study, microconfocal Raman spectroscopy, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering techniques. The Raman spectra of Pfu in both doped and dedoped states also have been calculated with the Gaussian 98 program at the B3LYP/6-31G* level, and the results are in good agreement with the recorded Raman spectra. Based on these calculations, the bands associated with the oxidized species of Pfu were assigned.