Vibrational spectra of charged defects in a series of α,α′-dimethyl end-capped oligothiophenes induced by chemical doping with iodine

We present the results of a detailed study carried out on a few α,α′-dimethyl end-capped oligothiophenes which have been in situ doped with dry iodine vapors, at different concentrations. The doping process of these well sized oligomers (from dimer to hexamer) has been monitored by using Fourier transform infrared absorption and Fourier transform raman scattering spectroscopies. These data, when combined with the vibrational full assignment of the oligomers in the neutral state and the electronic absorption bands recorded for both neutral and doped compounds, provide a complete spectroscopic characterization of a full series of positive polaron-type model defects of doped polythiophene. We have also performed density functional theory quantum-chemical calculations in order to analyze the effects of ionization on the geometries and vibrational spectra of these systems.