Preparation and morphology of as-prepared and highly stretch-aligned polyacetylene

The macroscopic morphology of as-prepared polyacetylene depends on the concentration of the catalyst system. At high catalyst concentration, polymerization occurs on the free surface of the catalyst solution to form a polyacetylene film which retards further polymerization because of the limited diffusion of acetylene monomer through the film. At lower concentrations, however, successive diffusion and polymerization is possible yielding a gelatinous mass. A continuous mass does not form at an extremely low concentration; the product is flock or powder. Despite these differences in macroscopic morphology, electron micrographs show that the fibrillar structure is a common feature of all forms of polyacetylene. However, the average fibril diameter of 200 Å may depend on the polymerization conditions. Orientation of the fibrils by combined mechanical and thermal treatment is possible to produce highly stretch-aligned films which show anisotropic properties.