Polybithiophene Heterogeneity: A Differential Cyclic Voltabsorptometry Study

The redox behavior of polybithiophene in 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄ solutions in acetonitrile is studied using cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic spectroelectrochemical measurements, and differential cyclic voltabsorptometry. Comparing differential cyclic voltabsorptograms, obtained at wavelengths of 420, 475, and 520 nm for the undoped state and 720, 850, and 1050 nm for the doped state, with the cyclic voltammetry data reveals the polymer heterogeneity. The heterogeneity of the undoped polymer is ascribed to the formation of polymer chains of different lengths during the polybithiophene synthesis. The heterogeneity of the doped polymer is attributed to the existence of two types of an oxidized state. Both states presumably form as the result of the occurrence of two parallel processes. The first oxidized state is probably connected with the formation of a strong complex (associate) of positively charged fragments of a polymer chain with the dopant anion, while the second oxidized state is caused by a weak interaction between the dopant and the doped polymer.