Other Applications of PA and Its Analogs

Electrochromic devices, where a transparent window can be turned opaque at selected regions of the electromagnetic spectrum under a potential, are another area in which PA copolymers and substituted PAs may have potential applications. Promising research opportunities also exist in the fabrication of PA-based controlled-release devices, non-linear optical devices, light-emitting diodes, and radar shielding. The readers are encouraged to consult some older [191-196] and more recent [197-199] review articles on these subjects. 

Polyacetylene has been the subject of intense research activity for many decades. A critical review of its history and evolution reveals that synthetic methods can be used to improve upon the processability of PA, albeit at a cost in the electrical conductivity. Although polyacetylene and its analogs exhibit a wide range of useful properties, none of these polymers are widely used in commercial applications. This observation suggests that the chemistry and physics of PA and PA analogs will continue to be a heavily researched topic for many more years to come. 

We thank the Dreyfus Foundation, the Beckman Foundation, the Packard Foundation, and the du Pont company for supporting the writing of this manuscript. 

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