Synthesis of dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene based conducting polymer : a potential molecular polymer actuator

A new polymer with dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene as the actuation center and one of the thiophene derivatives, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, as polymer chain is successfully synthesized. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum is obtained for each synthetic step. Several electrochemistry tests are done to examine the oxidation and reduction properties of the monomer and polymer. Cyclic voltammetry is used for the polymerization. Polymer is first grown on a metallic working electrode and further coated on an ITO plate. UV-Vis experiment is also done. A [pi] [arrow] [pi]* transition is observed as the primary polymer electronic absorption peak. Thickness of the polymer film is also recorded.