Tribological application of conducting polymers in micromechanical devices

Polymers and polymeric layers are often used in macroscopic mechanical structures for their compliance, low (or high) friction coefficients, or for protection against corrosion and wear. Conducting polymers can be electrodeposited in a controlled manner using processes conveniently similar to ones already common in the production of microelectromechanical systems. The authors report on studies of the friction and wear characteristics of thin films of conducting polymers