Comparative studies on poly(3-cyclohexylthiophene) with polyalkylthiophenes

Polythiophenes substituted with hexyl, cyclohexyl and methyl at the 3 position, and poly(3,4-dihexylthiophene) were synthesized. The properties of the polymers were characterized for conductivity, electroactivity, mechanical and thermal stability using NMR, gel permeation chromatography, cyclic voltammetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. With bulky substituents, all the properties of the polymer are very much affected as can be seen from poly(3-cyclohexylthiophene).