DIRECT CONVERSION OF SULFONIUM PRECURSORS INTO POLY(P-PHENYLENE VINYLENE) BY ACIDS

A novel method for the conversion of sulfonium precursor into poly(P-p henylene vinylene) (PPV) has been developed. The treatment of the sulf onium precursor with strong acids at room temperature leads to doped P PV. The materials obtained have the same optical properties and slight ly higher conductivity in comparison to PPV prepared by pyrolysis of t he precursor. Finally, the chemically converted PPV material appears t o be of lower-density, therefore the dopants can easily diffuse into t he polymer matrix and subsequently enhance the electrical conductivity of the system.