Colin's Conducting Polymers Page

http://homepage.dtn.ntl.com/colin.pratt/home.html

The exploration of conductive polymers for the utilisation in electrical circuits, as well as other applications which require a polymer based conductive media. Applications such as electrical shielding electrical discharge is one of many applications to which research in this field is progressing.

This web site is mainly concerned upon the conductive properties based upon the poly-(3-hexylthiophene) model. It can be seen, above that the charge is generated by a bipolaron which is propagated by application of a charge to the molecule.

This is quite reminiscent of a nerve propagation, whereby the depolarisation is initiated by the post-synaptic membrane and propagated down the axon by changes in relative electrode potentials from the K⁺  and Na⁺ ions, in biological systems.

In conductive polymers, the propagation of the charge through the molecule are assisted, in part, by the p-orbitals as well as  the properties supplied by the bond lengths, thus allowing it to conduct a charge upon its length. 

Conductive polymers are generally lighter than their metal counterparts, these can be used in circumstances where this would be inappropriate, such as in sea water, or on fighter aircraft. The applications are almost limitless.

It is a nice introduction to the field, which can be understood by almost everyone who has an education in chemistry, although organic chemists might be confused by the nomenclature used!

As this person is currently undertaking a PhD, it might be prudent to keep an eye on this web sites for updates in the field.