Process for producing functionalized polythiophenes

A process for preparation of a layered body, comprising:

• I) provision of a substrate;
• II) application of a liquid composition onto at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate;
• and
• III) optionally at least partial removal of the solvent for formation of a conductive layer that covers at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate;
• wherein the liquid composition comprises functionalized π-conjugated polythiophenes and is obtained by a process comprising:
• (i) providing a liquid phase comprising a functionalized π-conjugated polythiophene that is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, wherein the functionalized π-conjugated polythiophene comprises repeating units of the general formula (I):
• wherein X,Y are identical or different and are O, S, or NR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen or an aliphatic or aromatic residue having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
• A is an organic residue carrying an anionic functional group;
• and wherein the liquid phase has a pH-value of less than 2.5;
• and
• (ii) adjusting the pH-value of the liquid phase provided in process step i) to a value in the range from 2.5 to 10 by adding a base.

A process for preparation of a layered body, comprising:

• I) provision of a substrate;
• II) application of a liquid composition onto at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate;
• III) optionally at least partial removal of the solvent for formation of a conductive layer that covers at least a part of at least one surface of the substrate,
• wherein the liquid composition has a pH-value in the range from 2.5 to 10 and comprises a functionalized π-conjugated polythiophene that is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, wherein the polythiophene comprises repeating units of the general formula (I):
• wherein X, Y are identical or different and are O, S, or NR1, wherein R1 is hydrogen or an aliphatic or aromatic residue having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
• A is an organic residue carrying an anionic functional group;
• and
• wherein a composition that is obtained after drying the liquid composition at a temperature of 100° C. and a pressure of 50 mbar for 16 hours, fulfills at least one of the following conditions (A) to (E):
• (A) a weight loss of 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dried liquid composition, at a temperature of not less than 300° C. as determined by means of thermogravimetric analysis;
• (B) a weight loss of 20 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dried liquid composition, at a temperature of not less than 330° C. as determined by means of thermogravimetric analysis;
• (C) a weight loss of 30 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dried liquid composition, at a temperature of not less than 345° C. as determined by means of thermogravimetric analysis;
• (D) absence of a peak in the derivative plot in the interval between 250° C. and 270° C.;
• and/or
• (E) a ratio of the derivative value at 261° C. to the derivative value at the 2nd peak of 0.1 or less.