Chemical synthesis of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)

We have synthesised poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), (PEDOT), using FeCl3, Ce(SO4)2 and (NH4)2Ce(NO3) 6 oxidants. Greater than stoichiometric amounts of FeCl3 were required for reasonable yields. PEDOT produced using the eerie-based oxidants contained significant quantities of unidentified cerium compounds. Conductivities as high as 20 Ω−1 cm−1 were obtained. The PEDOT samples were characterised using thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR spectroscopy.