Semiconducting and Metallic Polymers: The Fourth Generation of Polymeric Materials (Nobel Lecture)

Alan J Heeger

doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20010716)40:14<2591::AID-ANIE2591>3.0.CO;2-0

Semiconducting and Metallic Polymers: The Fourth Generation of Polymeric Materials (Nobel Lecture)

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2001 Jul 16;40(14):2591-2611. doi: 10.1002/1521-3773(20010716)40:14<2591::AID-ANIE2591>3.0.CO;2-0.

Author

Alan J Heeger¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physics, Materials Department Institute for Polymers and Organic Solids University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA, 93106 (USA) Fax: (+1) 805-893-4755.

PMID: 29712324
DOI: 10.1002/1521-3773(20010716)40:14<2591::AID-ANIE2591>3.0.CO;2-0

Abstract

When asked to explain the importance of the discovery of conducting polymers, I offer two basic answers: first they did not (could not?) exist, and second, that they offer a unique combination of properties not available from any other known materials. The first expresses an intellectual challenge; the second expresses a promise for utility in a wide variety of applications.

Keywords: Nobel lecture; chemical doping; conducting materials; polyacetylene; solid-state physics.

Publication types

Review