Semiconducting and metallic polymers: the fourth generation of polymeric materials

• Published in: Synthetic metals Vol. 125; no. 1; pp. 23 - 42
• Main Author: Heeger, Alan J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 02.11.2001
• Subjects: Metallic polymers; Polymeric materials; Semiconducting polymers; Semiconducting polymers; Metallic polymers; Polymeric materials

When asked to explain the importance of the discovery of conducting polymers, I offer two basic answers. First, they did not (could not?) exist, and second, they offer a unique combination of properties not available from other known materials. The first expresses an intellectual challenge; the seco...