Synthesis and characterization of electrically conducting copolymers based on biphenyl and thiophene

New electrically conducting copolymers based on biphenyl and thiophene in a form of film were synthesized by electropolymerization using potentiostatic conditions and the corresponding homopolymers, polyphenylenes, and polythiophenes, for comparison reasons. Different values of applied potential were used, to study its effect on the structure, morphology, and electrical conductivity of the films. From the analysis of the current‐time curves, it was found that the growth of the films follows layer by layer (2D) mechanism. The films were studied by FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM‐EDAX and their electrical conductivity was determined, as well as their energy gap (Eg) by cyclic voltammetry. The copolymers had higher conductivity (appr. 1 S/cm) and lower Eg (appr. 1.2 eV) than that of the corresponding homopolymers. These materials due to their high conductivity, high stability under repetitive potential cycling, and partial solubility are candidates for electronic applications.