Study of chemically (AsF5) and electrochemically doped aluminium polyfluorophthalocyanine, (PcAlF)n

Chemical AsF₅ and electrochemical AsF₆^? doping of aluminium polyfluorophthalocyanine, (AlPcF)_n, has been studied. Thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrical conductivity measurements were used to characterize the doped materials. Particular attention has been devoted to the study of the most heavily doped samples obtained in the first case (between 4 and 5 AsF₅ molecules per phthalocyanine ring). A qualitative structural model is proposed to explain the low electrical conductivity of these samples. Results are compared with those for iodine-doped (AlPcF)_n and (GaPcF)_n.Cyclic voltammetry performed on polymer films revealed the existence of two oxidation peaks. While it is very likely that the second peak is accompanied by a chemical reaction taking place at the polymer electrode, it is possible to obtain a lightly AsF₆^?-doped sample for applied potentials lower than 0.6 V (versus Ag/Ag⁺). Very similar results are obtained with BF₄^? and ClO₄^? doping anions.