Dispersions of intrinsically conductive polymers, and methods for the production thereof

A process for the preparation of a dispersion comprising the steps of:

• (a) preparing an intrinsically conductive polymer from monomers, wherein the temperature during the polymerization is controlled such that it does not exceed a value of more than 5° C. over the starting temperature,
• (b) triturating and/or dispersing the product from step (a) in the presence of a non-electrically conductive, non-polymeric polar substance which is inert vis-à-vis the conductive polymer, applying adequate shearing forces, wherein the weight ratio between the conductive polymer and the polar substance is 2:1 to 1:10, and
• (c) dispersing the product from step (b) in a dispersant, wherein the weight ratio between the conductive polymer and the dispersant is less than 1:10 and wherein the resulting dispersion contains particles of at least one intrinsically conductive polymer, wherein the particle size is on average (weight) less than 1 μm, characterized in that the dispersant is a liquid at room temperature, and a layer, film or sheet formed from this dispersion has a conductivity of >100 S/cm after removal of the dispersant.