Segmented polymers - A new class of doped non-conjugated polymers with enhanced electrical conductivity

A new class of segmented non-conjugated dopable polymers, built up from short conjugated blocks connected with flexible chains (spacers), has been proposed. After the redox reaction of doping these polymers exhibit properties similar to those of the fully conjugated polymers and increase considerably their electrical conductivity. A solid state polymer effect has been observed. It has been found that the conjugated building units (biphenyl, diphenyl ether and 1,3,4-oxadiazole) do not interact with the dopant when included in a low molecular weight substance. When these units are incorporated in a polymer chain they change their reactivity and the polymer can be doped. The doping process takes place only when the polymer is in the solid state and the nature of this phase is of considerable importance. The phenomenon observed, i.e. doping of non-conjugated polymers with segmented structure could be explained with a favourable arrangement of the conjugated blocks in the solid phase, leading to enhanced pi-pi - interaction (equivalent to extended conjugation). By the collective interaction of several conjugated blocks with the dopant the polymer is partially oxidized and charge carriers are formed. The result is enhanced electrical conductivity.