A Comparative Investigation Between Poly(N-vinylcarbazole) and Poly(3,6-N-vinylcarbazole): Spectroscopy, Conductivity, Thermal and Optical Properties

Abstract

Poly(3,6-N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) films were prepared by electrochemical oxidation of N-vinylcarbazole on a platinum electrode using acetonitrile as solvent and tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte. The electro-synthesis was carried out using electrical potential cycling in the presence of tetraethyl-ammonium phthalate. The presence of this salt in the electrolyte decreased the cross-linking of the electrodeposited polymer to give PVK bearing a more uniform morphology, with higher thermal stability and electrical conductivity than PVK obtained without acidity control. PVKs were characterized by FT-IR and absorption spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and four-probe electrical conductivity measurements. Thermal, optical properties and conductivity of the obtained polymers were compared to those of traditional PVK.