Radiation chemistry as an alternative way for the synthesis of PEDOT conducting Polymers under “soft” Conditions

Synthesis of conducting PEDOT is achieved through an original soft alternative way: radiolysis of aerated aqueous solutions of EDOT in the absence of any external chemical initiators. The oxidation of EDOT monomers is shown to be initiated by HO.HO. hydroxyl radicals produced by water radiolysis. A recurrent step-by-step oxidation process leads to self-assembled hydrophilic PEDOT polymers which are evidenced in solution by cryo-TEM and after centrifugation and deposition by AFM and ATR-FTIR techniques. Optical and conducting properties of radiosynthesized PEDOT-containing layers, which are respectively evaluated by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and by cyclic voltammetry, are found to be close to those of usually electrosynthesized PEDOT layers.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► γ-radiolysis is used as a “soft” alternative way for synthesizing conducting polymers. ► Starting from EDOT monomers, PEDOT polymers are produced. ► A mechanistic study of EDOT oxidation is considered. ► Chemical and structural characterizations of PEDOT are made. ► Their optical and conducting properties are compared to those of electrochemically synthesized PEDOT polymers.