Electrochemistry of poly(3,4-alkylenedioxythiophene) derivatives.

An overview of the electrochemistry of poly(3,4-alkylendioxythiophene)s (PXDOTs), is presented. As a class of conductlng and electroactlve polymers that can exhlblt high and quite stable conductivities, a high degree of optical transparency as a conductor and the ability to be rapidly switched between conducting doped and insulating neutral states, PXDOTs have attracted attention across academia and industry. Numerous fundamental aspects are addressed here in detail, ranging trom the electrochemical synthesis of PXDOTs, a variety of in-situ characterization techniques, the broad array of properties accessible, and morphological aspects. Finally, two electrochemically-driven applications, specifically electrochromism and chemical sensors of PXDOTs are discussed.