Electrochemical polymerization of poly(para-phenylene) and its electrical properties

Poly(para-phenylene) (PPP) film was obtained by the electrochemical polymerization of benzene in nitromethane. The as-grown films were p-type semiconductor. The structures and the properties were found to depend significantly on the polymeriztion potential and a supporting electrolyte. The electrical conductivities of the films were measured both in a plane direction and in a vertical direction. In a plane direction, DC conductivities increased with polymerization potential, whereas in a vertical direction, it decreased slightly.