Alternate Copolymer of 3,4-Dioctyloxythiopheneand 2,2'-Bithiophene: Synthesis, Electronic and Spectroelectrochemical Properties

Anew electroactive polymer has been prepared by oxidative (electrochemical or chemical) polymerization of 3,4-dioctyloxy-2,2':5',2''-terthiophene. The polymer (PDOTT) is photoluminescent, emitting green light in solution and red light in the solid state. It can be used for the fabrication of organic field effect transistors, however the measured charge carriersmobilities in the transitor configuration ( = 7×10–6 cm2 V–1s–1) are lower than those found for the best polymers reported in the literature. PDOTT is much more promising for electrochemical and electrochromic applications since it shows perfectly reversible spectral response to potential switching. Moreover, in its doped state PDOTT is a strong near infrared absorber.