Conducting Gel Polymer Research Articles

Instability of conducting polymer, poly(3-alkylthiophene) gel with solvent, temperature and doping and effect of alkyl chain length

Volume, shape and color of poly(3-alkylthiophene)s change drastically with solvent composition and temperature, which is interpreted as characteristic behaviour of conducting polymer gels. Volume shrinkage ratio is larger in a chemically prepared sample than in an electrochemically prepared sample and also depends on alkyl chain length. Drastic shrinkage of poly(3-alkylthiophene)s in chloroform is also observed by adding iodine, which are explained by the formation of apparent cross-linking between polymer main chains by doping. These instabilities are reversible and also are considered to be candidates of molecular actuators.