Orientation and Conductivity of Polyacetylene

Relationship between orientation and conductivity of polyacetylene films has been studied. Polyacetylene films were synthesized by employing both trialkyl aluminiums and tetraalkyl titanates having long alkyl chains such as hexyl, octyl or decyl groups as catalysts. These polyacetylene films showed good stretchability. The polyacetylene films are oriented by stretching. Orientation degree of polyacetylene films was evaluated by means of polarized infrared spectra. Ca. twenty time of conductivity on the polyacetylene films can be obtained by stretching compared with as-grown films. Orientation is one of the most important factors to enhance the conductivity of pi-conjugated polymers like polyacetylene.