Novel polymerisation of conducting thienothiophenes via vapour phase polymerisation: a comparative studyElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Supplementary information for novel polymerisation of conducting thienothiophenes via vapour phase polymerisation: a comparative study. See DOI: 10.1039/c4ra10200b

Poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PTT) and poly(dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene) (PDTT) were successfully synthesised via an oxidative vapour phase polymerisation (VPP) process and a typical electropolymerisation (EP) technique. This comparative study provides a characterisation of the conducting polymers (CPs) obtained. UV-Visible and Raman spectroscopy suggest the synthesis of PTT and PDTT via VPP yielded materials comparable to those produced via EP. This confirms VPP as a simple and straightforward alternative technique to achieve uniform thin-film polymers. Poly(thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PTT) and poly(dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene) (PDTT) were successfully synthesised via an oxidative vapour phase polymerisation (VPP) process and a typical electropolymerisation (EP) technique.