XPS and IR investigations of FeCl3-doped polyphenylacetylene: the solvent effect

The effects of solvent (acetone) on the homogeneous doping of polyphenylacetylene with FeCl3 have been studied. XPS measurements give evidence for the presence of chlorine species bearing different charges, of Fe(II) and Fe(III), and for a side polymerization reaction of acetone with FeCl3. IR spectra suggest the formation of hydroxo-iron species which appear when acetone and traces of water are present. The data presented in this paper are discussed in comparison with data already reported for the same system doped in different solvents and procedures.