Poly(3-hexylthiophenes) studied by neutron scattering

Abstract With the aaim of obtaining information on the state of the alkyl side chains in polyalkylthiophenes neutron scattering studies were undertaken on deuterated and hydrogenated polyhexythiphenes. Both materials were prepared from bromohexanes and magnesium thiophenes, using FeCl 3 as the oxidizing agent for the polymerization. Pronounced isotope effects were observed in the neutron scattering, showing clear orientation effects with stretched film samples. The data corroborate qualitatively with a previous model involving partial side chain disorder. Indication was found of possible “side chain pairing”.