Electrodeposition and characterisation of polythiophene films on gold substrates

Star-shaped oligothiophenes are interesting to use in building super-structured materials. We have already used them to improve particle adhesion and assembly onto conductive substrates in an aqueous medium. In this study, electropolymerization of two different monomers, tris(2,2′-dithienyl)methylcarbinol (TMC) and bithiophene (BT), was carried out on gold film, which was deposited by PVD on silicon wafers. The numbers of cycles and the scan rate have been changed to modify the morphology of the deposit. The polymer films were then characterised by cyclic voltammetry, classical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. Polytris(2,2′-dithienyl)methylcarbinol (PTMC) film was flatter, thicker and more uniform than polybithiophene (PBT) film. Finally electrophoretic deposition of composite particles has been carried out on PBT and PTMC films.

FE-SEM images of polybithiophene film and polytris(2,2′-dithienyl)methylcarbinol film.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Polymer films are deposited on gold electrodes by cyclic voltammetry.
► Films are characterised by Optical microscopy, AFM and SEM.
► Raspberry particles are deposited on modified surfaces.
► Composite particles are deposited around polymer aggregates.