 Image Number 10 for United States Patent #6383415.
Cross-linked electrically conductive polymers, in particular electrically conductive, polyaniline are described. Dopants and substituents having pendant cross-linkable functionality are used which form a cross-linked conducting polymer network. The cross-linking functionality can be hydrogen-bonding as well as chemically polymerizable or cross-linkable. A conjugated path between chains can also be incorporated. The resulting cross-linked conducting polymers have enhanced thermal and environmental stability. The dopant cannot readily be washed out with solvents or diffuse out upon exposure to heat. In addition, the cross-linked polymers have enhanced electrical conductivity.
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