Nanostructured star-shaped polythiophene with tannic acid core: Synthesis, characterization, and its physicochemical properties
ABSTRACT
For the first time, synthesis and characterization of a nanostructured star-shaped polythiophene (PTh) with tannic acid core by both chemical and electrochemical oxidation polymerization methods through a “core-first” method is reported. The chemical structures of all samples as representatives were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The electroactivity behaviors of the synthesized samples were verified under cyclic voltammetric conditions, and their conductivities were determined using the four-probe technique. The synthesized star-shaped PTh showed higher electrical conductivity and electroactivity than those of the PTh in both chemical and electrochemical polymerized samples, due to its large surface area, spherical, and three-dimensional structure. Moreover, the thermal behaviors, optical properties, and morphologies of the synthesized samples were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43513.