Synthesis and characterization of electroactive copolymer with phenyl-capped aniline tetramer in the main chain by oxidative coupling polymerization

A novel electroactive alternating copolymer, with fixed conjugated length of oligoaniline (phenyl-capped aniline tetramer) in the main chain, was successfully synthesized via oxidative coupling polymerization. The structure of the copolymer was systematically studied by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, NMR, elemental analysis (EA), UV–vis spectra and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). And its electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement. It was found that the obtained copolymer bearing phenyl-capped aniline tetramer segments had a reversible electrochemical property in the cyclic voltammetry, and the copolymer was oxidized to its emeraldine oxidation state and then to the pernigraniline oxidation state, which was same as that of polyaniline. Moreover, the thermal properties of the copolymer were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrical conductivity of the obtained copolymer was about 1.43 × 10−7 S cm−1 at room temperature.