Synthesis and characterization of poly(dimethylsiloxane)–polythiophene composites

The synthesis was performed by the electropolymerization of thiophene on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-coated platinum electrode at 2.2 V with tetrabutylammoniumtetrafloroborate (TBAFB) as a supporting electrolyte and with acetonitrile as a solvent. The characterization of the PDMS–polythiophene (Pth) composites was carried out with cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, and conductivity measurements. The observed conductivities of the PDMS composites were 2.2–5.2 S/cm. The conductivity of Pth did not change appreciably with the addition of up to 30% insulating PDMS, but its processability improved. FTIR, SEM, and DSC studies showed the existence of a strong interaction, rather than physical adhesion, between PDMS and Pth. Highly flexible and foldable PDMS–Pth composites were obtained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 2113–2119, 2003