Conducting polymers: novel materials for novel devices

Summary form only given, as follows. The "current status" of conducting polymers is reviewed with focus on recent progress which demonstrates that the initial promise of the late 1970\´s has become reality in 1992. Conducting polymers are now available as materials with truly unique properties: the important electronic and optical properties of semiconductors and metals in combination with the attractive mechanical properties and the processing advantages of polymers. The field has progressed to a level of maturity consistent with a new set of opportunities-opportunities to develop a wide range of applications based upon conducting polymers as materials for industrial products. Examples include conducting polymers which are processible in the conducting form for use in electrostatic charge dissipation, in EMI shielding, as transparent conducting films for transparent electrodes, etc. The advantages of the combination of attractive electronic and mechanical properties are demonstrated by the flexible light emitting diodes fabricated from conducting polymers. In parallel with the progress in conducting polymers as materials for a wide range of applications, there has been equally important progress toward a deeper understanding of the basic physics of the pi -electrons in such materials. These two focal points come together in the area of transport studies of high quality polyaniline processed from solution with the help of surfactant counterions.<>