SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF FECL3-DOPED POLYMERS OF POLYPHENYLACETYLENE

Polyphenylacetylene (PPA) is a variant of polymeric polyacetylene. Unlike polyacetylene, it is stable in air, which makes it easier to handle and investigate. Recently, PPA samples have been found to show a reversible conductivity response to variation in humidity and show promise as humidity sensors. The nature of this behavior remains unexplained. This paper reports on conductivity, XPS, Fe Mossbauer, far-infrared (FIR), ESR, and Raman studies made on FeCl3-doped PPA samples in order to determine the nature of the iron moiety in the polymer. Identification of the iron species in the polymer could aid in determining the mechanism involved in the conductivity process.