High-Strength Conducting Polymers Prepared by Electrochemical Polymerization in Boron Trifluoride Diethyl Etherate Solution

Flexible metallic plastic sheets and filmsof two high-strength conducting polymers, polythiophene and poly(p-phenylene), are discussed. The synthetic procedure—electropolymerization in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate solution—is believed to be the key to the exceptional mechanical properties of these materials, which have a tensile strength close to or better than that of aluminum foil. The ability to process these materials into desired structures according to standard plastics industry procedures also contributes to the significance of this work.