POLYPYRROLE IN POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) GELS WITH COPPER(II) CHLORIDE - AHYBRID CONDUCTING POLYMER

The electrical properties of poly(ethylene oxide) gels incorporated wi th CuCl2 and polypyrrole were investigated with respect to temperature , concentration of CuCl2 and the degree of crosslinking. Highly conduc ting gels were obtained even at low concentrations of CuCl2 and polypy rrole. The activation energy for conduction and effect of crosslinking and swelling in methanol on the electrical properties strongly indica te the hybrid nature of these materials. The conduction process was pr edominantly of the electronic semimetallic type with some contribution from ionic mobility.