'Synthetic metals': a novel role for organic polymers

Summary form only given. The basic chemistry and physics of polyacetylene, (CH)/sub x/, the prototype conducting polymer which is characteristic of most other conducting polymers, were described together with a description of the polyanilines, a large new class of conducting polymers. Potential technological applications were discussed. Polyacetylene, (CH)/sub x/ is obtained in the form of silvery, flexible films by the polymerization of gaseous acetylene.<
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