Abstract: The suitably doped polyacetylene film can be used for the conversion of sun- light energy into electrical or chemical energy. A new electrochemical technique was introduced for obtaining polyacetylene film by cathodic initiation of the poly- merization process. The advantage of this technique is that the polymerization process can be controlled by the wave form of electrode current and the composi- tion of the solution. Polyacetylene films of different properties and thickness can be conveniently prepared in this way.
The catalyst was dissolved in certain organic solvent and introduced into the electrolytic cell. The solution was then cooled down to low temperature and saturated with acetylene gas before cathodic polymerization. Several transition metals and other electric conducting materials have been used as electrodes. On passing suitable current, red color appeared at the cathode/solution interface and the polyacetylene film formed gradually.
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