Phenoxy radical-substituted polythiophene/gold nanoparticle alternate network film and its conductive characteristics

Combination of the polythiophene and a gold nano-particle with Au-S bonds is expected to measure electric conductivity of the polymer main chain excluding any influence of electron hopping transfer between the chains. Thiol- or boronic acid-terminated polythiophenes were synthesized via polycondensation and the following coupling reactions to the end of the polymer chain. Gold nano-particles chemisorbed with surfactant or aromatic thiol bearing reactive group were also prepared. The sizes and properties of the gold nano-particles were characterized with TEM, TG-DTA, and so on. The complex film was obtained by mixing the polythiophene and the gold nano-particles. TEM and XPS results indicated the formation of the alternate network film with the polythiophene and the gold nano-particles. Electric conductivity of the polythiophene/gold nano-particle complex film measured with micro comb-shape electrodes had higher conductivity than that of the polymer.