Polymeric materials electrically conductive

Some polymers from styrene derivatives seem to meet specific market demands and to have the potential to become commercially significant materials. For example, monomeric chlorostyrene is useful in glass-reinforced polyester recipes because it polymerizes several times as fast as styrene (61). Poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) [9003-59-2] a versatile water-soluble polymer, is used in water-poUution control and as a general flocculant (see Water, INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT FLOCCULATING AGENTs) (63,64). Poly(vinylhenzyl ammonium chloride) [70304-37-9] h.a.s been useful as an electroconductive resin (see Electrically conductive polya rs) (65). 

Quite naturally, novel techniques for manufacturing composite materials are in principal rare. The polymerization filling worked out at the Chemical Physics Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences is an example of such techniques [49-51], The essence of the technique lies in that monomer polymerization takes place directly on the filler surface, i.e. a composite material is formed in the polymer forming stage which excludes the necessity of mixing constituents of a composite material. Practically, any material may be used as a filler the use of conducting fillers makes it possible to obtain a composite material having electrical conductance. The material thus obtained in the form of a powder can be processed by traditional methods, with polymers of many types (polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, elastomers, etc.) used as a matrix. 

When estimating the remaining service life of a polymer material for a particular application, the limiting value should be established of some material property such as tensile strength, elongation at break, electrical conductivity, permeability to low molar mass compounds, the average polymerization degree, etc., at which the polymer does not fail. 

An important point is that the electrochemically driven charge transport in these polymeric materials is not dependent on the presence of mixed valence interactions which are well known to give rise to electronic conductivity — in a number of cation radical crystalline salts. This is clearly seen from the absorption spectrum of the electrochemically oxidized pyrazoline films (Figure 8) which show no evidence for the mixed valence states that are the structural electronic prerequisites for electrical conductivity in the crystalline salts. A more definitive confirmation of this point is provided by the absorption spectrum (Figure 10) of electrochemically oxidized TTF polymer films which shows... 

Polymeric material that exhibits bulk electric conductivity. 

Conductance behavior is dependent on the material and what is conducted. For instance, polymeric materials are considered poor conductors of sound, heat, electricity, and applied forces in comparison with metals. Typical polymers have the ability to transfer and mute these factors. For instance, as a force is applied, a polymer network transfers the forces between neighboring parts of the polymer chain and between neighboring chains. Because the polymer matrix is seldom as closely packed as a metal, the various polymer units are able to absorb (mute absorption through simple translation or movement of polymer atoms, vibrational, and rotational changes) as well as transfer (share) this energy. Similar explanations can be given for the relatively poor conductance of other physical forces. 

While the amount of electricity that can be conducted by polymer films and wires is limited, on a weight basis the conductivity is comparable with that of copper. These polymeric conductors are lighter, some are more flexible, and they can be laid down in wires that approach being one-atom thick. They are being used as cathodes and solid electrolytes in batteries, and potential uses include in fuel cells, smart windows, nonlinear optical materials, LEDs, conductive coatings, sensors, electronic displays, and in electromagnetic shielding. 

A number of other characteristics are required in order to ensure a viable polymeric conductor. Chain orientation is needed to enhance the conducting properties of a polymeric material, especially the intermolecular conduction (i.e., conduction of current from one polymer molecule to another). This is a problem with many of the polymers that are amorphous and show poor orientation. For moderately crystalline or oriented polymers, there is the possibility of achieving the required orientation by mechanical stretching. Liquid crystal polymers would be especially advantageous for electrical conduction because of the high degree of chain orientation that can be achieved. A problem encountered with some doped polymers is a lack of stability. These materials are either oxidants or reductants relative to other compounds, especially water and oxygen. 

Solid-state (topochemical) polymerization of cyclic disulfur dinitride to poly(sulfur nitride) (or polythiazyl), -fSN, occurs on standing at ambient temperature or higher [Banister and Gorrell, 1998 Labes et al., 1979 Ray, 1978]. Disulfur dinitride is obtained by sublimation of tetrasulfur tetranitride. Polythiazyl is a potentially useful material, since it behaves like a metal. It has an electrical conductivity at room temperature about the same order of magnitude as a metal like mercury and is a superconductor at 0.3°C. Polythiazyl also has high light reflectivity and good thermal conductivity. However, it is insoluble and infusible, which prevents its practical utilization. 

Accordingly, values obtained for model or small molecules are appropriately applied to analogous polymeric materials. This does not apply in cases where the polymeric nature of the material plays an additional role in the conductance of electric charges, as is the case for whole chain resonance electric conductance. 

Modified lignin materials may serve as components in (semi)conducting systems. All heterogeneous and amorphous polymeric complexes are now of interest for possible future employment in electrically conducting materials. 

BS 2050, 1978. Electrical resistance of conductive and antistatic products made from flexible polymeric material. 

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