Abstract
Electropolymerized green-colored polycarbazole (PCz) film reacted with ordinary-temperature molten metals (Ga-Sn, Ga-Zn, Ga-In, and Ga) in air to form conducting films with a coloreless transparency (hybridization reaction). The reaction rate was in the increasing order of Ga-In<Ga<Ga-Sn<Ga-Zn, the reason of which was discussed on the basis of the kinetic and energetic aspects. The transmittance and electric conductivity of the resultant typical hybrid films were ca. 90% at a wavelength of 550nm and the order of 10－3S/cm, respectively. Microanalyses (transmission electron microscopic observation, electron dispersive analysis of X-rays, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) of the hybrid films revealed that they were composed of an undoped PCz backbone in which metal compounds (metal oxide/hydroxide and metal salt) were dispersed. Also, the interaction between the PCz and the metal compounds was suggested by their FT-IR measurements. This interaction explained well the small difference in electric conductivity of the films before and after the hybridization. Additionally, the hybrid films were applied to an electrode for the electrolysis of the solution species. Cyclic voltammetric response of the hybrid film electrodes demonstrated the feasibility of their use for the electrode material in electrochemistry.
