Scientists recently stated that a new type of conductive plastic could enable low-cost, transparent solar cells, flexible, lightweight batteries, and ultra-thin antistatic coatings for consumer electronics and aircraft.
Researchers have determined the solid-state electrical properties of these polymers. The new conductive plastic, called PTMA (organic radical polymer), is more than 10 times more conductive than ordinary semiconductor polymers.
“This is a rechargeable polymer glass, but since glass is typically an insulator, this seems contradictory,” said Bryan Boudouris, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Purdue University.
This polymer is easy to produce, much like PVC (glass resin), an inexpensive, transparent plastic found in many products. However, unlike PVC, PTMA is conductive.
“We produce billions of tons of plastic every year. Imagine how much more valuable it would be if we could produce the same type and scale of material but with electrical properties,” Boudouris said.
PTMA can lead to inexpensive, transparent solar cells; antistatic and anti-glare coatings for mobile phone screens; antistatic covers for aircraft to protect against lightning strikes; flexible flash drives; and thermoelectric devices for generating electricity.
Currently, these polymers are already commercially used in new types of batteries. However, the widespread practical application of new conductive plastics requires an increase in conductivity of 100-1000 times.
