Investigation of the Thermochromic Properties of Polythiophenes Dispersed in Host Polymers

Introduction There have been numerous investigations of the structure and organization of polythiophene films and the structural changes that occur during the thermochromic transition. The investigations have primarily focused on the behavior of these materials as pure films or in solution. However, the utilization of conjugated polymers in many electronic applications requires them to be dispersed in a host polymer matrix. There have been few investigations on the thermochromic properties of polythiophenes in host polymers. In this article we discuss an investigation of the structure and organization of substituted polythiophenes as pure solids and as dispersions in host polymers. The polymers of most interest include polystyrene, poly(methyl-methacrylate), polycarbonate, and polyolefins.