Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and its derivatives: Past, present, and future

An overview of one of the most successful conducting polymers, poly(3,4-eth ylenedioxythiophene) (PEDT) and its derivatives, is presented, detailing it s early development, the synthesis of numerous hybrid and derivative materi als, along with a description of the broad array of properties accessible a nd a description of a set of the more prominent applications in which they can be utilized. Synthetic flexibility and facility is the key to the many new 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDT-) based monomers, oligomers, and (co)po lymers. These (co)polymers provide highly conducting and especially stable doped states, a range of optical properties with electronic bandgaps varyin g across the entire visible spectrum, and enhanced redox properties, making them useful for numerous electrochemical devices. Present and future appli cations for PEDT that are discussed include static charge dissipation films and electrode materials in solid electrolyte capacitors.