Study of polyalkylterthiophenes deposition

In this paper we present the in-situ characterization of poiy-3′4′-didodecylterthiophene electrodeposition with the Probe Beam Deflection technique and the Bending Beam Method. Deflectograms revealed anomalous features during the potentiodynamic synthesis of poiy-3′4′-didodecylterthiophene for the occurrence of mass fluxes towards the electrode in the cathodic scan of the cyclic voltammetry. The mechanical effects of poly-3′4′-didodecylterthiophene growth onto thin flexible conducting substrates were also detected by means of the Bending Beam Method. The most relevant mechanical effects were observed during the cathodic polarization of the electrode with the verification of tensile stress in the growing polymer. Such results were explained in terms of the changes in the solubilities of the polymerized species when they switch from the oxidized state to the neutral one.