POLY(3,4-DIBUTOXYTHIOPHENE VINYLENE) - A NEW PROCESSABLE CONDUCTING POLYMER WITH UNUSUAL OPTICAL-PROPERTIES - SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND STABILITY

Poly(3,4-dibutoxythiophene vinylene) was prepared and investigated as a new, processable conducting polymer. Having the vinylene unit to reduce steric interactions, substitution of the thiophene in both the 3- and 4- position is possible without loss of conductivity. The dibutoxy substitution yields advantages in processing, as the high molecular weight polymer dissolves easily in common organic solvents. The polymer can be cast into tough, flexible, free-standing films. The FeCl3 doped polymer films are nearly optically transparent and have conductivities of 1 Scm-1. The stability of the undoped polymer to light, oxygen, ozone and water is reported.