Surface modification of polythiophene and poly(3‐methyl thiophene) films by graft copolymerization

Polythiophene (PTH) and poly(3‐methyl thiophene) (PMT) films were electrochemically polymerized in an electrolyte solution of boron fluoride–ethyl ether. Ozone‐pretreated PTH and PMT films were subjected to UV‐light‐induced graft copolymerization with different monomers, including poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate, acrylic acid, and glycidyl methacrylate. Surface grafting with the hydrophilic polymers gave rise to more hydrophilic PTH and PMT films. The structure and chemical composition of each copolymer surface were studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface grafting with the hydrophilic polymers resulted in a more hydrophilic PTH film. The dependence of the density of surface grafting and the conductivities of the grafted PTH and PMT films on the ozone pretreatment was also studied. A large amount of the grafted groups at the surface of the PTH and PMT films remained free for further surface modification and functionalization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012