Abstract
In this paper we demonstrate for the first time that pre-vulcanized NR latex can be doped by iodine to become electrically conducting. The study reveals that pre-vulcanisation will not hinder the formation of conjugated sequences, which is widely accepted as a prerequisite for developing intrinsic electrical conductivity in polymers. The samples in thin film form and in solution showed the characteristic colour change on doping and the conductivities were at par with iodine-doped unvulcanised rubber. The resulting structural changes were further confirmed by UV/Vis and FTIR measurements. These strong vulcanized films can ensure fairly good flexibility and processability in coalition with conductivity. The band gap of this conducting latex film was evaluated to be 1.38eV. These findings are of far-reaching consequences for the rubber industry, as it is now possible to develop interpenetrating rubber composites for bulk polymer heterojunctions for use in microelectronics. Doped vulcanized NR latex promises to be a cost effective and highly efficient material for use in solar cells and light emitting diode materials.