IODINE-DOPED POLY(ETHYLENEPYRROLEDIYL) DERIVATIVES - A NEW CLASS OF NONCONJUGATED CONDUCTING POLYMERS

Poly(ethylenepyrrolediyl) derivatives of the following type (R = n-butyl, 1; C6H5, 2; p-CH3-OC6H4, 3) were found to become electronic conductors upon doping with iodine. The conductivity of the iodine-doped polymers was in the range of 5 x 10(-5)-2 x 10(-3) OMEGA-1 cm-1. The doped polymers were stable to moisture and oxygen for at least 1 year. The strength and flexibility of the polymers could be improved by cross-linking, although the conductivity was lowered as a result.