Aqueous reactivity of polyacetylene: PH Dependence

Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, Gary E. Wnek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The stability of iodine-doped polyacetylene in aqueous environments and the particular effect of variations in pH upon the stability of the intrinsically conducting polymer has been investigated in a variety of aqueous environments. Stability performance was established by simultaneously monitoring the four-probe electrical conductivity and the steady-state electrode rest potential during exposure of the metallically doped, [CHI0.18-0.20]x. polymer over an approximate 10-day period. Initial polymer conductivities were in all cases between 100 and 300 S cm-1. The initially measured electrode potential was in all cases ca. 0.45 V vs SCE irrespective of the doping levels studied; y = 0.007, 0.168, 0.210 or the pH of the test solution in the range 1-9. The rate and extent of degradation in these material properties was found to increase at the extremes of pH. Alkaline conditions were found to be generally more aggressive to the p-doped polymer compared to acidic conditions. The normally slow but ever present degradation of iodine-doped polyacetylene which occurs even under inert atmosphere conditions is accelerated in all aqueous environments leading to an often precipitous degradation of electrically based material properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3192-3196
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry
Volume94
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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