Synthesis, doping, and electrical conductivity of high molecular weight poly(p-phenylene vinylene)

Abstract High molecular weight poly( p -phenylene vinylene) (PPV) has been synthesized starting from the monomer p -xylylene- bis (dimethylsulphonium chloride). The latter was polymerized to yield a water-soluble sulphonium salt polyelectrolyte, which was converted to PPV by the thermal elimination of (CH 3 ) 2 S and HCl from films cast from aqueous solution. The elimination reaction was studied by elemental analysis and by thermogravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. The PPV films had good mechanical properties and could be n- and p-doped to yield material with electrical conductivities approaching those of highly doped polyacetylene. The degree of conversion of the intermediate polyelectrolyte to PPV could be controlled and the conductivities of these doped films could be related to the average conjugation length.