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Review
. 2025 Jan 30;11(3):e42375.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42375. eCollection 2025 Feb 15.

A review on conducting organic polymers: Concepts, applications, and potential environmental benefits

Md Byzed Hasan  1 , Md Masud Parvez  2 , Abrar Yasir Abir  1 , Md Faruak Ahmad  1
Affiliations
Review

A review on conducting organic polymers: Concepts, applications, and potential environmental benefits

Md Byzed Hasan et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Polymer materials have long been valued for their insulating properties. But recent advancements have revealed their potential as electrically conductive materials, offering an alternative to traditional metallic conductors with the added benefit of reduced environmental impact. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of conducting organic polymers, focusing on their conceptual foundations, diverse applications, and their significant role in mitigating environmental pollution. The paper begins with an exploration of how polymeric materials have progressed from insulators to conductors, explaining the basic principles and mechanisms behind their electrical conductivity. It then provides an insight into the various applications enabled by their unique optical and electronic properties, including their use in light-emitting diodes, electrochromic displays, smart windows, fuel cells, solar cells, supercapacitors and batteries. Additionally, the review emphasizes the potential of conducting organic polymers in mitigating environmental pollution, particularly through their role in wastewater treatment and e-waste management. By examining recent advancements and promising future prospects, this article underscores the potential of conducting organic polymers to revolutionize both electronic technology and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Adsorption; Conducting polymer; Conduction mechanism; Doping; Fuel cell; Heavy metal; Led; Photocatalysis; Solar cell; Supercapacitor; Wastewater.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Image 1
Graphical abstract
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Skeleton formula of some common conductive polymers.
Scheme 2
Scheme 2
Skeleton formula of cis- and trans-polyacetylene.
Scheme 3
Scheme 3
Structural illustration of various forms of PANI.
Scheme 4
Scheme 4
Formation of Emeraldine salt from Emeraldine base.
Scheme 5
Scheme 5
a. Chemical structure of the proposed super conducting organic polymer. b. Resonance structure of the side chain [93].
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Electronic band structures of metals, semiconductors, and insulators.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
MO energy diagram for conjugated system.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
π-electron delocalization in polyacetylene.
Scheme 6
Scheme 6
Doped trans-polyacetylene chain.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Molecular orbital and chemical structure of (a) undoped, (b) n-doped and (c) p-doped PPy [https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9040150, Open source MDPI] [95].
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Electronic band structure of undoped and doped PPy [Adapted and modified with permission from Bredas et al. [96] Copyright © 1985, American Chemical Society.
Scheme 7
Scheme 7
Formation of two soliton in trans-polyacetylene chain via oxidation.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Electronic band structure of soliton in trans-polyacetylene.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Inter and Intra chain hopping of charge carrier.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Schematic illustration of photoluminescence.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
(a) Schematic representation of CP-based LED device, (b) exciton formation, (c) exciton dissociation.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
(a) Schematic representation of BHJ base organic solar cell, (b) Exciton formation and diffusion, and (c) Exciton dissociation and free charge carrier collection.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell.
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
CP-based battery: a. discharging process and b. charging process.
Fig. 13
Fig. 13
Advantages of CP based batteries.
Fig. 14
Fig. 14
Schematic diagram of supercapacitor.
Fig. 15
Fig. 15
Sources of water pollution.
Scheme 8
Scheme 8
Reactions involved in photocatalysis.
Fig. 16
Fig. 16
Mechanism in CP-based composite for the degradation of textile dyes.
Fig. 17
Fig. 17
Illustration of the adsorbent, adsorbate, and adsorption processes.
Scheme 9
Scheme 9
Possible interactions between polyaniline and an organic dye (Congo red).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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