University of Pennsylvania

Elliot Scherr

Alan G MacDiarmid

Xun Tang

Sanjeev K Manohar

Nicolas Theophilou

Nicholas Theophilou

Substantially amorphous, high molecular weight polyaniline which is processable into shaped articles such as fibers is disclosed. Polyaniline base made by standard procedures is subjected to extraction to remove impurities and lower molecular weight fractions. The resulting high molecular weight base, which is partially crystalline and insoluble in NMP and concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, is converted to an amorphous material soluble in NMP and concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, by a two step process involving conversion to a salt, and reconversion to a base. Fibers prepared from the high molecular weight material exhibit conductivities in the range of about 50 to 100 S/cm.

High molecular weight polyaniline films

Processable, high molecular weight polyaniline and fibers made therefrom

Methods for preparing highly conductive, oriented polymers are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, solution of conductive polymer is cast onto the surface of a stretchable support material, and oriented polymer is produced by removing solvent from the solution and stretching the support material. The invention is particularly useful for preparing oriented films of polyaniline which films have been shown to exhibit conductivities in the range of 300-2,500 S/cm.

Oriented films of conductive polymers

Methods for preparing highly conductive, oriented polymers are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, solution of conductive polymer is cast onto the surface of a stretchable support material, and oriented polymer is produced by removing solvent from the solution and stretching the support material. The invention is particularly useful for preparing oriented films of polyaniline which films have been shown to exhibit conductivities in the range of 300-2500 S/cm.

Growing community of inventors

Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Elliot Scherr