Conducting polymer nanoparticles synthesized in an ionic liquid by chemical polymerisation

Ionic liquids are ideal media for the synthesis and application of conducting polymers as they can exhibit excellent oxidative and reductive stability, allowing access to potentials outside the smaller electrochemical window of molecular solvent/electrolyte systems. Here we report the first use of an ionic liquid for the chemical synthesis of poly(pyrrole), poly(thiophene) and poly(terthiophene) using a variety of oxidants. The polymers have been analysed by UV–vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and dynamic light scattering, which shows the particles to be <500 nm diameter. TEM analysis shows the individual poly(thiophene) particles to be <100 nm.