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Conductive Polymers, Conductive PlasticsGina YostMarc DaoupharsMichaelJosh

+About

The polyaniline family of conjugated polymers is used throughout the world. It has a conduction mechanism that makes it different from other polymers. It is also very stable when in the presence of oxygen and water.

Polymers consist of alternating single and double bonds, called conjugated double bonds

Used for surrounding copper wires and manufacturing the outer structures of electrical appliances that protect humans from direct contact.

+About

Polymer called ‘polyactylene’ can become highly electrically conductive after undergoing a modification process called doping Doping is a process where the plastic has to be disturbed –

either by removing electrons from (oxidation) or inserting them into (reduction) the material Oxidation with halogen (known as p-doping) Reduction with alkali metal (known as n-doping)

In becoming electrically conductive, a polymer has to imitate a metal, that is, its electrons need to be free to move and not bound to the atoms. Polyactylene is the simplest possible conjugated polymer.

+Positives of Polymers

Conductive Polymers are: Good insulating properties Good for environment stability Invented as an accident Inexpensive functionally versatile lightweight

+Health Hazards

Toxic raw materials

Hazardous processing conditions

+Doped Polymer Explained

This game illustrates a doped polymer. The pieces cannot move unless there is at least one empty “hole”. In the polymer each piece is an electron that jumps to a hole vacated by another one. This creates a movement along the molecule – an electric current.

+Examples/Applications

High-capacity batteries

Artificial muscles

Biosensors

LEDs

Solar cell > solar windows

Medicine delivery

Photographic film

Adhesives

Coatings, paints, inks

Touch screen

Stylus

+Properties

Density

Temperature

Hardness, strength, and machinability

solubility

+Suppliers

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/conductive-polymers-96084314-1.html

http://www.tekra.com/plastic-films-coated-plastic-films-adhesive-products

+Project Examples

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pneumatic-Muscles/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-air-muscles!/

+Other Sources

http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/states/polymers.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjMbwS0LOkU

http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/tutorial/steinke/4yrPolyConduct2003.pdf

http://www.slideshare.net/gaurav2481/conducting-polymers