Synthesis and Properties of Polyacetylene Films Prepared by Ti(OEt)4–AlMe3 Catalyst System

Abstract

Abstract Novel homogeneous catalyst system of composed tetraethoxytitanium–trimethylaluminum, Ti(OEt)4–AlMe3, is employed for synthesis of polyacetylene film. It is confirmed that the present system has a high catalytic activity for acetylene polymerization, and its activity is comparable to that of the representative Ti(O-n-Bu)4–AlEt3 catalyst system. Experimental conditions, especially for preparation and aging of the catalyst, are optimized in view of properties of polyacetylene film such as cis content, mechanical stretchability, and electrical conductivity. The homogeneity of the present catalyst aged at room temperature enables us to synthesize highly conductive non-stretched and stretched films whose electrical conductivities after iodine doping are 2.0 × 103 and 1.2 × 104 S cm−1, respectively. Discussion has also been made in terms of the effect of high-temperature aging for the catalyst, the role of co-catalyst as a reductant, and the dependence of electrical conductivity on film thickness.