INTERPENETRATING NETWORKS OF CONJUGATED IONIC POLYACETYLENES

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) based on poly(hi-butyl 8-eth ynylpyridinum bromide) (PB2EPB) and polycarbonate-urethane (PCU) has b een prepared and characterized. The simultaneous full IPNs of PCU and PB2EPB have two glass transition temperatures corresponding to those o f the linear chain blends measured by DSC. This suggests immiscibility of the two networks in the IPNs. The IPNs display a multiphase morpho logy which is confirmed by SEM observation. The full IPNs exhibit exce llent solvent resistance, good thermal stability and good mechanical p roperties. High UV absorption of these materials extending to the visi ble range and beyond indicates that the polyacetylene network is exten sively conjugated. The electrical conductivity of the IPNs increases l inearly with increasing polyacetylene content reaching 10(-4) S/cm. (C ) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.