Resistivity-temperature behavior of intrinsically conducting bis(3-methoxysalicylideniminato)nickel polymer

Materials with a positive temperature coefficient have many applications, including overcharge and over-temperature protection in lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The thermoresistive properties of an electrically conductive polymer, based on a Ni(salen)-type backbone, known as polyNiMeOSalen, were evaluated by means of in situ resistivity measurements. It was found that the polymer was conductive at temperatures below 220^◦C; however, the polymer increased in resistivity by three orders of magnitude upon reaching 250^◦C. Thermogravimetric results combined with elemental analyses revealed that the switch from the insulation stage to the conductive stage resulted from thermally dedoping the polymer. Electrochemical studies demonstrated that a polymer retains its electroactivity when it is heated and can be recovered to a conductive state through oxidation via electrochemical doping in an electrolyte solution.