Effect of synthesis temperature and alkoxy side chain length on molecular structure and photoelectrochemical properties of terthiophenes

Abstract

The photoelectrochemical properties of the alkoxy-substituted terthiophenes poly(4,4" dimethoxy-3'-methyl-2,2':5',2" terthiophene) (PDM) and poly(4,4" dipentoxy-3'-methyl-2,2':5',2" terthiophene) (PDP) have been investigated in terms of the influence of side chain length. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-Vis experiments have suggested that the synthesis temperature affects the molecular organization in different ways and, thus it should not be used as a general rule. The more efficient light harvesting of PDM, results from its improved molecular π-stacking. Due to its short side chain, PDM presents a large chain interaction, which favors electron hopping and the polymer conductivity. ©2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.