A Comparative Investigation Between Poly(N-vinylcarbazole) and Poly(3,6-N-vinylcarbazole): Spectroscopy, Conductivity, Thermal and Optical Properties

Poly(3,6-N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) films were prepared by electrochemical oxidation of N-vinylcarbazole on a platinum electrode using acetonitrile as solvent and tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte. The electro-synthesis was carried out using electrical potential cycling in the presence of tetraethylammonium phthalate. The presence of this salt in the electrolyte decreased the cross-linking of the electrodeposited polymer to give PVK bearing a more uniform morphology, with higher thermal stability and electrical conductivity than PVK obtained without acidity control. PVKs were characterized by FTIR and absorption spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and four-probe electrical conductivity measurements. Thermal, optical properties and conductivity of the obtained polymers were compared to those of traditional PVK. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009