Facile Synthetic Route to Atomically Thin Conductive Wires from Single-Species Molecules in One-Dimensionally Confined Space: Doped Conjugated Polymers inside Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

A facile synthetic method for doped conjugated molecules by a heating process is demonstrated. Br-terminated terthiophene precursors are encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanotubes by a vapor-phase reaction, and additional heat treatment promotes the thermal condensation of the precursors. Transmission electron microscopy observations and optical measurements show the successful synthesis of sexithiophenes and their doping (oxidation) by Br dopants generated by the condensation reaction. This study provides a new strategy for the synthesis of the doped conjugated polymers from single-species molecules by only a heating process.