ABSTRACT
Electroactive polymers may be classified according to the type of mechanism by which electricity is transported through the polymer matrix. This type of classification would result in (1) the ionic conducting polymers, in which the basic transport mechanism is by ion movement through the polymer matrix, and (2) the electrically conductive polymers, in which the mechanism of conduction is by movement of electronic species (electrons or holes). Both types of electroactive polymers are of much interest because of a number of current applications and, more so, for their promise as essential materials for 21st century smart devices. Currently, polymers that conduct electricity because of electronic transport have found application in sensors, electrochromic devices, static-free packaging material, etc. [1-3]. Ionic conductive polymers, also known as solid polymer electrolytes, have found application in lightweight battery packs, electrochromic windows, sensors, etc. [2-4]. The two types of electroactive polymers in many instances are complementary and both may be required for the fabrication of certain solid-state electrochromic devices and sensors. In the future it is expected that both types of electroactive polymers will be utilized in advanced devices such as microelectrochemical (MEMS) devices, microwave shielding, and membranes for biological electron transfer processes [5-10]. Future promise, coupled with a number of current applications of electroactive polymers, requires that newer and more versatile electroactive polymers are developed. In this regard, our group have developed novel highly ionic conducting polymers by blending high-molecular-weight commercially available polymers, i.e., polyblend ionic conductors or solid polymer electrolytes. In addition, our group, has successfully prepared and characterized polymers capable of simultaneously transporting ionic and electronic species. This system of polymers has been termed the microphase separated (ionic and elec-
tronic) conducting or MIEC block copolymers. The polymers are designed so that the electronic and ionic conductivities, to a large extent, are limited to separate domains. In this chapter we review our work on the polyblend ionic conductors and the MIEC block copolymers. The emphasis of the chapter is on the preparation and characterization of the two systems.
