title: The structure and properties of PEDOT synthesized by template-free solution method.
abstract: In this study, a simple one-step template-free solution method was developed for the preparation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOTs) with different morphologies by adjusting various ratios of oxidant (FeCl3·6H2O) to monomer (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT)). The results from structural analysis showed that the structure of PEDOT was strongly affected by the oxidant/monomer ratio, and the polymerization degree, conjugation length, doping level, and crystallinity of PEDOT decreased with increasing of the oxidant/monomer ratio. The morphological analysis showed that PEDOT prepared from an oxidant/monomer ratio of 3:1 displayed a special coral-like morphology, and the branches of 'coral' would adjoin or grow together with increasing content of oxidant in the reaction medium; consequently, the morphology of PEDOT changed from coral to sheets (at an oxidant/monomer ratio of 9:1). The electrochemical analysis proved that the PEDOT prepared from an oxidant/monomer ratio of 3:1 had the lowest resistance and the highest specific capacitances (174 F/g) at a current density of 1 A/g with a capacity retention rate of 74% over 1,500 cycles, which indicated that the PEDOT with a coral-like morphology could be applied as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Petroleum and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Functional Polymers, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Petroleum and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Functional Polymers, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ruxangul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Petroleum and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Functional Polymers, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Petroleum and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Functional Polymers, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Minchao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Petroleum and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Functional Polymers, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China ; Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, Educational Ministry of China, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tursun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abdiryim
keywords: Different morphology; PEDOT; Structure and properties; Template-free method