Recent advances in synthesis, physical properties and applications of conducting polymer nanotubes and nanofibers

• Published in: Progress in polymer science Vol. 36; no. 10; pp. 1415 - 1442
• Main Authors: Long, Yun-Ze, Li, Meng-Meng, Gu, Changzhi, Wan, Meixiang, Duvail, Jean-Luc, Liu, Zongwen, Fan, Zhiyong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed Matter; Conductivity; Electric potential; Materials Science; Nanocomposites; Nanofiber; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Nanotube; Nanotubes; Nanowire; Physical properties; Physics; Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); Polyaniline; Polypyrrole; Sensor; Synthesis; Transistor; Volt-ampere characteristics; Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); Nanotube; Conductivity; Nanofiber; Transistor; Polyaniline; 81.07; 81.05; 81.16; Nanowire; 82.35; Polypyrrole; Sensor
• ISSN: 0079-6700; 1873-1619
• DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.04.001

► Electronic transport and mechanical properties of individual conducting polymer nanotubes/fibers are reviewed. ► Various preparation methods of one-dimensional conducting polymer nanostructures are summarized. ► Several potential applications and corresponding challenges of conducting polymer nanotubes/fibers are discussed. This article summarizes and reviews the various preparation methods, physical properties, and potential applications of one-dimensional nanostructures of conjugated polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPY) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The synthesis approaches include hard physical template method, soft chemical template method, electrospinning, and lithography techniques. Particularly, the electronic transport (e.g., electrical conductivity, current–voltage ( I– V) characteristics, magnetoresistance, and nanocontact resistance) and mechanical properties of individual nanowires/tubes, and specific heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility, and optical properties of the polymer nanostructures are presented with emphasis on size-dependent behaviors. Several potential applications and corresponding challenges of these nanofibers and nanotubes in chemical, optical and bio-sensors, nano-diodes, field effect transistors, field emission and electrochromic displays, super-capacitors and energy storage, actuators, drug delivery, neural interfaces, and protein purification are also discussed.