Conducting polymer fibers properties

Conducting polymer fibers were prepared by melt mixing and chemical coating on fibers. Different conductive materials were used in order to obtain conductive PP-based fibers with specific electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical conductivity and morphological characteristics of these fibers were investigated (Kim et al. 2004). The conductive fibers are intended for use in creating conductive yams, conductive fabrics (which can be used as electromagnetic shields), and multifunctional textile stractures for novel applications. 

Electrically conductive or electroactive fibers are commonly used in protective cloth, filters, and smart and interactive textiles, which could be used in electrical, medical, sports, energy, and military applications. Conductive fibers, especially for commonly used synthetic fiber, can be prepared in core—sheath bicomponent fiber, adding conductive additives in the core part. Functional additives include carbon black, multi-waUed carbon nanotubes, grapheme, ZnO, silver, and conductive polymers [52]. Properties of some conductive libers are listed in Table 2.38. 

Wet spinning methods are also being explored by fiber scientists to develop conducting polymer fibers. Continuous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) p oly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOTPSS) fibers were produced by using a simplified wet spinning process. Optimum wet spinning conditions were shown to produce fibers with good mechanical and electrical properties. The fiber... 

Intrinsically conducting polymers, 13 540 Intrinsic bioremediation, 3 767 defined, 3 759t Intrinsic detectors, 22 180 Intrinsic fiber-optic sensors, 11 148 Intrinsic magnetic properties, of M-type ferrites, 11 67-68 Intrinsic photoconductors, 19 138 Intrinsic rate expressions, 21 341 Intrinsic semiconductors, 22 235-236 energy gap at room temperature, 5 596t Intrinsic strength, of vitreous silica, 22 428 Intrinsic-type detectors, cooling, 19 136 Intrinsic viscosity (TV), of thermoplastics, 10 178... 

POLYACETYLENE. A linear polymer of acetylene having alternate single and double bonds, developed in 1978. It is electrically conductive, but this property can be varied in either direction by appropriate doping either with electron acceptors (arsenic pentaflnoride or a halogen) or with electron donors (lithium, sodium). Thus, it can be made to have a wide range of conductivity from insulators to n- or >-type semiconductors to strongly conductive forms, Polyacetylene can be made in both cis and trans modifications in the form of fibers and thin films, the conductivity... 

Suspensions of polyacetylene were prepared as burrs or fibers (46) by using a vanadium catalyst. When the solvent was removed, films of polyacetylene were formed with densities greater than that prepared by the Shirakawa method. These suspensions were mixed with various fillers to yield composite materials. Coatings were prepared by similar techniques. Blends of polypyrrole, polyacetylene, and phthalocyanines with thermoplastics were prepared (47) by using the compounding techniques typically used to disperse colorants and stabilizers in conventional thermoplastics. Materials with useful antistatic properties were obtained with conductivities from 10" to 10" S/cm. The blends were transparent and had colors characteristic of the conducting polymer. For example, plaques containing frans-polyacetylene had the characteristic violet color exhibited by thin films of solid trans-polyacetylene. 

Already solution-processable conducting polymers have been used to develop fiber products that may be used in the applications described earlier. In one commercial operation (Santa Fe Science and Technology, Inc.), continuous lengths of PAn fibers are made by a wet-spinning operation. The continuous nature of the operations enables control of fiber diameter and electronic properties. Conductivities of... 

The polymers are elastomeric polyethers, sold under the Stat-Rite S-Series in alloys with base polymers such as acetal, ABS, PP, PETG, and others. The conductive polymer reportedly has minimal effect on the mechanical properties of the base resin. Prices are higher than carbon-black filled systems, but lower than carbon-fiber materials. 

Structures similar to muscle fibers have been proposed by researchers in Japan and Italy. They are based on the property that a conducting polymer in a fiber fi om undergoes dimensional changes due to expansion and contraction along the fiber s length as a result of electrochemical doping and undoping. 

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