FT-IR STUDIES ON THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING POLYMERS

The degradation behaviour of electrochemically prepared polythiophene has been studied by the FT-IR spectroscopic technique. Studies show that it is more stable than polyacetylene but still undergoes degradation reactions which involve two steps, namely, loss of dopant and then degradation of polymer backbone. The general features of degradation mechanisms are discussed.