Modulated molecularly bonded inherently conductive polymers on

Abstract

Organic inherently conductive polymers, such as those based on polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene, are sequentially formed in-situ onto polymeric surfaces that are chemically functionalized to molecularly bond the conductive polymers to the substrates. The polymeric substrate is preferably a preshaped or preformed thermoplastic film, fabric, or tube, although other forms of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers can be used as the substrates for functionalization using, most preferably, phosphonylation-based processes followed by exposure to an oxidatively polymerizable compound capable of forming an electrically conductive polymer. It has been found that the degree of electrical conductivity may be modulated by bonding further electrically conductive layers to the article. That is, each underlying conductive layer is functionalized prior to bonding of a subsequent conductive layer thereto until the degree of conductivity is achieved. In an alternative embodiment, metals such as gold or platinum may be bonded to one of the functionalized surfaces.