OXIDATION OF PI-CONJUGATED POLYMERS WITH GOLD TRICHLORIDE - ENHANCED STABILITY OF THE ELECTRONICALLY CONDUCTING STATE AND ELECTROLESS DEPOSITION OF AU(0)

Oxidative doping of thin pi-conjugated polymer films using acetonitril e solutions of gold trichloride yields electronically conductive polym ers (15 OMEGA-1 cm-1) containing the AuCl4- counter ion. Thin oxidized films containing AuCl4-counter ions are orders of magnitude more stab le in ambient atmosphere at 25-degrees-C than polymers oxidized using conventional oxidants such as iron trichloride. Oxidation of polymer f ilms using solutions of AuCl3 in nitromethane results in electroless d eposition of zero-valent gold in addition to formation of AuCl4--doped polymer. Thick films (> 1 mum) afford growth of a homogeneous and con tinuous metallic layer on top of the polymer film. As a result, conduc tivities of the metal/polymer bilayers are as high as 11 000 OMEGA-1 c m-1. Mechanisms of oxidative doping and deposition of gold metal are d escribed.