Chemometric Evaluation of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Electrochemical Aging Path as a Function of Electrochemical Synthesis Variables

Author(s)

Goncalvesa, Roger ; Pereira, Ernesto C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society; v. 33, n. 8, p. 10-pg., 2022-08-01.

Abstract

Conductive polymers are versatile materials that can be applied in many different technology fields, especially green energy. They have several advantages, such as easy synthesis, low density, and cost. However, its electric conduction property is also related to material aging with great loss of their characteristics, limiting their applicability. The in-depth study of electrochemical aging can provide useful information for new strategies to overcome this problem. Thus, this work describes the use of factorial design to evaluate the influence of some synthesis variables on the aging of poly(3-hexylthiophene): electrolyte and monomer concentration and water in the synthesis of non-aqueous solution. For this, the properties of the films were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The accelerated electrochemical aging was performed by applying a potential higher than the superoxidation potential for 20 min steps. It was possible to identify two extreme cases, the conventionally synthesized polymer aged more, while the polymer obtained with the three altered parameters suffered fewer aging effects. It was possible to identify a range of different aging pathways among these. The mechanical stress caused by the several oxidation/reduction cycles of the material aligned to the increasing loss of polymer properties, potentiates aging. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/17141-1 - Development and Mechanism Studies of New Synthetic Methodologies for the Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds.
• Grantee: Ricardo Samuel Schwab
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/06536-0 - Green chemistry: sustainable synthetic methods employing catalysis, benign solvents, safer reagents and bio-renewable feedstock
• Grantee: Thiago de Melo Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 11/10897-2 - Characterization of the redox and ageing processes in self assembled films of conducting polymers
• Grantee: Wania Aparecida Christinelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
• Grantee: Elson Longo da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 14/50249-8 - Green chemistry: sustainable synthetic methods employing benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock
• Grantee: Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 17/11986-5 - Generation and storage of New Energy: bringing technological development for the country
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program