Phthalonitrile-based conductive polymer

An aromatic, diether-linked phthalonitrile resin, prepared from 4,4′-bis(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)biphenyl, can be converted into an environmentally stable, highly conductive material by thermal means. The conductivity of the pyrolyzed polymer can be varied and controlled as a function of both the pyrolytic temperature and annealing time. This allows the generation of a range of electrical behavior from an insulator to semiconductor and approaching metallic regions.