Correlations between structure and far-infrared active modes in polythiophenes.

We have investigated the experimental X-ray and far-infrared responses of three polythiophenes synthesized from a thiophene, alpha-bithiophene, and alpha-quaterthiophene monomer. The X-ray data show that the crystallinity of the different polythiophene samples depends on the synthesis conditions. An excellent correlation between the crystallinity of polythiophenes and their far-infrared signatures is demonstrated. In addition, the assignment of the far-infrared phonon modes in polythiophenes is given by using both an experimental filiation procedure and first-principles calculations. In particular, the ring libration inside the polymeric chain, directly involved in the electron-phonon coupling, is assigned.