Title:Electrochemical Synthesis of Conducting Polymers Involving Deep Eutectic Solvents
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Florentina Golgovici, Liana Anicai*, Andreea Florea and Teodor Visan
Affiliation:Center of Surface Science and Nanotechnology, POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Center of Surface Science and Nanotechnology, POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Road Laboratory, Center for Road Technical Studies and Informatics – CESTRIN, Bucharest, Center of Surface Science and Nanotechnology, POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Bucharest
Keywords:Electropolymerization, conducting polymers, choline chloride based eutectics, polypyrrole, polyaniline,
polyethylenedioxythiophene
Abstract:
Background: Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) represent a new generation of ionic liquids
which are widely promoted as “green solvents”. They are gaining widespread application in materials
chemistry and electrochemistry. DESs are defined as eutectic mixtures of quaternary ammonium
salt with a hydrogen bond donor in certain molar ratios. Their use as solvents for electrochemical
synthesis of conducting polymers could influence the polymer properties and reduce their economic
cost.
Objective: This review presents the most recent results regarding the electropolymerization of common
conductive polymers involving choline chloride based ionic liquids. New findings from our
laboratory on the electrochemical growth of conductive polymers are also discussed.
Methods: The electrochemical polymerization mechanisms during synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy),
polyaniline (PANI) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) using various formulations of
DESs are reviewed, as well as their characteristics, mainly from surface morphology view point.
Results: Some general information related to the preparation and characterization of DESs is also
presented, followed by an overview of the recent advances in the field of electropolymerization using
DESs.
Conclusion: Electropolymerization of conducting polymers involving DESs represents an attractive
route of synthesis due to their compositional flexibility which makes possible the preparation of unlimited
formulations further influencing the polymer morphology and properties. The use of these
inexpensive eutectic mixtures has a large potential to contribute to the development of more sustainable
technological processes meeting many of the required features characteristic to the green chemistry.
