Sulfonated polythiophene and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) derivatives with cations exchange properties

Two sulfonated polythiophene derivatives poly [(3-thienyl)ethoxybutanesulfonate] [poly(I)] and poly [2-(3-sulfinopropyl)-2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b] [1.4]dioxin] [poly(II)] have been synthesized by chemical polymerization with FeCl3. Due to its lower oxidation potential, (11) is easily polymerized in water in contrast to (1). Both conducting polymers are water soluble and can be spray coated. Due to the immobilization of sulfonated group covalently linked, polymers can be self-doped with acidic vapors. Sulfonated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) thin films were shown to be highly stable in air in their doped state on the contrary to the thiophene derivatives. We have compared in preliminary results ions exchange properties of these two polymers to make possible the preparation of radioactive sources. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.