Conducting polymers are a unique class of organic materials that exhibit electrical conductivity, a property typically associated with metals and semiconductors, not conventional plastics.
Here are the key characteristics of conducting polymers, based on the provided reference:
- Generally Not Thermoplastics: Unlike many common plastics that can be easily molded by heating and cooling, conductive polymers are generally not thermoplastics. This means they are not thermoformable, limiting some traditional plastic processing methods.
- Organic Materials: Despite their electrical properties, conducting polymers are indeed organic materials, just like insulating polymers. Their backbone is composed of carbon chains, often with conjugated double bonds that facilitate conductivity.
- High Electrical Conductivity: A defining characteristic is their ability to offer high electrical conductivity. This is a significant departure from the insulating nature of most polymers.
- Distinct Mechanical Properties: While they are polymers, conducting polymers do not show similar mechanical properties to other commercially available polymers. Their mechanical behavior, such as flexibility, strength, or processability, can differ significantly from common structural or flexible plastics.
In summary, conducting polymers bridge the gap between traditional polymers and electronic materials, offering conductivity within an organic structure, albeit with distinct processing and mechanical attributes compared to standard commodity polymers.
