Conducting polymers in industry: A comprehensive review on the characterization, synthesis and application

Abstract

In recent decades, conducting polymers (CPs) like polyaniline and polypyrrole have attracted the attentions of scientists all over the world due to having important advantages such as simplicity of synthesis, excellent chemical/mechanical stability and good optical properties. Despite the existence of different shortcomings in the pristine form of CPs, hybridization with other substances can be a great solution to decrease these limitations. The synergetic influences of CPs with composites can make them a promising option for industrial-based applications in electronics, medical, biomedical and optoelectronic fields. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review for expert and non-expert readers to be acquainted with the recent advancements in the field of perception, characterization and synthesis of different types of CPs in industries. Additionally, this paper overviews the application of commonly-applied CPs in industrial activities and present the advantages/disadvantages of each of them to provide an opportunity for readers to know the efficiency and feasibility of using each CP based on their conductivity and other related parameters.