STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN POLY(VINYLENE DISULFIDE)

We have investigated the structural defects in poly(vinylene disulfide ), -(S-CH=CH-S)(n)-, using optical, magnetic and surface spectroscopic techniques. This has been done by comparing the analysis results obta ined on pristine samples with those on protic-acid-doped samples. In t he undoped sample, the main type of defect is found on carbon broken b onds which gives rise to carbon-oxygen bonding due to oxidation of the sample. In doped samples, the sulfur sites are greatly affected by do ping and appear as the main protonation sites. A careful analysis of a ll the results has enabled the role of the defects in the electrical c onduction mechanism to be clarified.