Autonomous aqueous H2O2 production with a carboxylate-functionalized polythiophene

Abstract

We report a novel carboxylate-functionalized polythiophene that spontaneously produces ∼1 × 10⁻⁴ mol H₂O₂ per g polymer in the presence of water and oxygen, corresponding to ∼18% polymer doping level. We show that this is a reversible redox process that allows for regeneration of the polar polythiophene. These results could open new applications that are driven by the autonomous production of H₂O₂ by conjugated polymers and elucidate degradation of similar CPs that are exposed to water and oxygen.