Innovations in conductive polymers to transform the way everyday things worked

Stretching the realms of imagination and devising innovative ways of utilizing conductive polymers is the prime objective of scientists these days. Research and development activities have been focused on creating conductive polymers that can be suited for applications such as smart windows, energy storage, and self-healing materials. One of the experiments is aimed at development of optical nanoantennas, which in turn, can be used for smart windows. Another research activity is focused on developing bricks that can store energy. A team of researchers has been working on developing material capable of self-healing. Conductive polymers play a crucial role in each of the experiments. According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the conductive polymer market is expected to generate $7.4 billion by 2026. Following are some of the research and development activities going on across the world.

Research and development activities have been going on across various universities and institutes and innovative applications of conductive polymers have been found. Scientists at Linköping University developed optical nanoantennas from a conducting polymer instead of traditional metals. These are controllable nano-optical components that can be utilized in various applications such as smart windows and displays. The scientists utilized a variant of PEDOT, which is a conductive polymer used in bioelectronics and thermoelectrics, has been utilized for development of optical nanoantennas. Their experiment demonstrated that there can be conversion of light to plasmons in nanostructures of this material. They used polarons for creating plasmons in conducting polymers.

Positive charges present in polymer chain developed electrical conductivity. Moreover, these charges developed polarons that collectively oscillated as the light was incident upon the nanostructure. Billions of nanodisks were produced that can react to light for creation of tiny antennas. The diameter and thickness are the deciding factors for reaction to the specific light frequency. Scientists have been devising ways to raise the range of wavelengths for which nanoantennas are able to react. They have been utilizing different conducting polymers for achieving that objective.     

Innovative usage of conductive polymers continues with researchers from the Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri developing bricks that can store energy with the help of conductive polymers. Scientists have been tapping on the potential of PEDOT for achieving energy storage bricks. Bricks used for constructing homes have been used in the experiment. Then bricks were heated with acid vapor for dissolving haematite present in them. More compounds were added for reacting with dissolved haematite. This produced a network of conductive PEDOT fibers on bricks. After the process, the bricks became dark brownish-blue in color. An epoxy coating was applied on the bricks for making them waterproof. Then these bricks can be connected to power source for charging. The energy stored in bricks of size of 4x3x1 centimeter can supply power to green LED light for nearly 10 minutes.

The wave of innovations continues to progress with emergence of new materials that can repair itself. Thanks to the efforts of scientists at the Carnegie Mellon University. A self-healing polymer known as polyborosiloxane can fix its broken bonds with the need of any external stimuli such as heat or light. The team of scientists joined this material with carbon nanotubes that offers material with conductivity and ability of self-healing. This has resulted in a conductive polymer with special characteristics that can reconnect when cut and place together. It reconnects in such a way that the seam between them disappears eventually. This type of material can be utilized for variety of applications such as sensors, electrical devices, and others, reports the research team. These materials will be useful in electrical applications in which breaking of electrical circuits can cause products and equipment to stop working.  

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