Electrochemical growth of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) into porous silicon: a nanocomposite with tubes or wires?

A derivative of polythiophiene: poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (PT 12) has been used to fill electrochemically a porous silicon matrix. The composite, obtained by this way, should have a high third order nonlinear optical coefficient and good mechanical properties. SEM and TEM micrographs were taken after matrix dissolution in NaOH. Columns of polymer with the matrix pore shape show up like fingers. In consideration of the homogeneous filling profile of PT 12 measured by EDX and XPS and the low amount of polymer, we are probably dealing with tubes instead of wires.