ABSTRACT

The most significant properties of organic conductive polymers (OCPs) are related to their electronic, optical and ionic characteristics. These major characteristics are briefly described in this chapter and further elaborated on within the more detailed discussion of the methods that are used to characterize OCPs, particularly when they are associated with biological systems. These characterization methods include electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods and electronic, vibrational, X-ray, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Physical characterization techniques useful for studying biological interactions such as microscopies, light scattering, and microbalance techniques are also considered, along with molecular weight determination. A unique feature of conducting polymers is their ability to act as both semiconductors and conductors, depending on whether the polymer backbone is oxidized, reduced, or not. The ionic properties of conducting polymers primarily result from the presence of charge on the polymer backbone and its associated dopant, although charged groups can also be introduced into the polymer by way of functionality on the backbone.