Polythiophene by solution processing

The solubility of polythiophene was illustrated where a soluble polythiophene substituted with tertiary ester groups was processed into thin films followed by thermal treatment to eliminate ester groups. The results show an overall weight loss mechanisms of polythiophene in the temperature range from 25 to 475 °C. The steep thermal gradient of polythiophene provides a better distinction between weight loss mechanism. The thermal behavior linked to ester functionality is used to prepare tertiary ester groups with C-labeling on the carboxylic carbon atom. The second loss peak of polythiophene from 285 to 350 °C shows the features that are found to be due to carbon dioxide. The NMR spectra of polythiophene shows a 100% loss of C-labeled material in the second loss peak and simplification of the aromatic peak and simplification of the aromatic peak.