EPR OF NAARMANN-THEOPHILOU POLYACETYLENE - CRITICAL ROLE OF INTERCHAIN INTERACTIONS

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) experiments have been carried out on pristine Naarmann-Theophilou polyacetylene N-(CH)x. It is found that there is a significantly increased interchain spin exchange in trans-(N-(CH)x) compared with that of trans-Shirakawa (CH)x. We propose that the intrachain soliton diffusion range in trans-(N-(CH)x) is greatly enhanced. Studies of spin-lattice relaxation and oriented polymers support this conclusion. We discuss possible origins for the higher conductivity of I2-doped N-(CH)x in light of the enhancement of the soliton diffusion range.