Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of poly[3′-(4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenyl)-5,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene] film

A conducting polymer was electrochemically prepared on a Pt electrode with newly synthesized 3′-(4-formyl-3-hydroxyphenyl)-5,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene (FHPT) in a 0.1 M TBAP/CH2Cl2 solution. The poly[FHPT] film was characterized with cyclic voltammetry, in situ UV–vis spectroscopy, in situ conductivity measurements, and EQCM. From in situ UV–vis spectroscopy results, it was confirmed that generation of polaron and bipolaron was directly related to the conductivity of the poly[FHPT] film. The conductivity was 4.5 S/cm at +1.5 V. The poly[FHPT] film showed a specific catalytic response for the proton at the current media below pH 4. It also exhibited a specific catalytic response by metal ions.