Morphology, conducting polymers

Practical appHcations have been reported for PVP/ceUulosics (108,119,120) and PVP/polysulfones (121,122) in membrane separation technology, eg, in the manufacture of dialysis membranes. Electrically conductive polymers of polyaruline are rendered more soluble and hence easier to process by complexation with PVP (123). Addition of small amounts of PVP to nylon 66 and 610 causes significant morphological changes, resulting in fewer but more regular spherulites (124). 

Because of the aqueous solubiUty of polyelectrolyte precursor polymers, another method of polymer blend formation is possible. The precursor polymer is co-dissolved with a water-soluble matrix polymer, and films of the blend are cast. With heating, the fully conjugated conducting polymer is generated to form the composite film. This technique has been used for poly(arylene vinylenes) with a variety of water-soluble matrix polymers, including polyacrjiamide, poly(ethylene oxide), polyvinylpyrroHdinone, methylceUulose, and hydroxypropylceUulose (139—141). These blends generally exhibit phase-separated morphologies. 

CNT films are also of interest from morphological aspect because their structure provides nanoscale voids within the networks of CNTs. For example, composites with conducting polymers are very interesting both from scientific and technological interests, since we would expect CNTs to give a well-dispersed film. 

A number of approaches are available to improve the morphology and homogeneity of electrochemically deposited conducting polymer films. Priming of the electrode surface with a monolayer of adsorbed or covalently bonded monomer leads to more compact deposits of polyaniline,87,88 poly thiophene,80 and polypyrrole.89,90 Electrode rotation has been shown to inhibit the deposition of powdery overlayers during poly(3-methylthiophene) deposition.81... 

A large number of conducting polymers can be synthesised via the use of catalysts [28-30], but generally little control can be exercised over the morphology of the product and purification of the material obtained can be problematical. In recent years however, a number of alternative synthetic routes have been devised which involve soluble precursor polymers which can be more easily purified and cast onto substrates, with subsequent conversion (usually by heating) to the desired product, and... 

In this context numerous changes were made. The chapter Properties of Polymers was revised and a new section Correlations of Structure and Morphology with the Properties of Polymers was added. The chapter Characterization of Macromolecules was revised and enlarged. 15 examples have been deleted as they did no longer represent the state of the art and/or were of minor educational value. Several new experiments (plus background text) were added, as, for example controlled radical polymerization - enzymatic polymerization - microemulsions - polyelectrolytes as superabsorbants - hyperbranched polymers - new blockcopolymers - high impact polystyrene - electrical conducting polymers. 

The soluble polythiophenes are the first conducting polymers that can be taken above their glass transition without decomposition and it will be interesting to study morphology-property relationships. Heeger et al.262) have recently described conformational changes in solutions of poly-3-hexylthiophene which seem to involve a coil-helix transformation as the temperature is decreased or a poor solvent is added. 

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