Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy for Time-ResolvedIn SituObservation of Electrochemical Inclusion of Metallic Clusters within a Conducting Polymer

Electrochemically synthesized polythiophene is a very promising conducting polymer able to support tiny metallic particles which could be useful in various applications (e.g., conducting leads, catalysis,...). Time-resolved in situ investigation of the process of the inclusion of metallic aggregates has been achieved by dispersive x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The unique capability of this new structural tool comes from the association of the properties of synchrotron radiation with a photodiode array used as a position-sensitive detector.