Synthesis and Characterization of Polythiophene / SBA-15 Composite

A new nanocomposite, semiconducting polythiophene (PT) confined in mesoporous silica (SBA-15) was synthesized. PT was formed in the pores of SBA-15 by subsequent oxidative polymerization with FeCl3. Different techniques were used to characterize the nanocomposite formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis showed that the nanocomposite possesses mesoporous structure, and the residual pore volume of nanocomposite was significantly lower than that of pure empty SBA-15. Scan electron micrographs confirmed the presence of polythiophene inside pore channels of the host, and thermogravimetric analysis proved confinement effect in the channel system.