Nanometer-size conducting structures are of great interest in view of
fundamental issues and potential applications. We explore the inclusion
chemistry of conjugated polymers and graphite-like materials as a
means to create such structures. Novel mesoporous materials with pore
diameters in the 3 nm range (MCM-41) are used as hosts. Monomer
molecules are introduced via vapor or solution transfer and
polymerized either by included or external reagents. The properties of
the conjugated systems are studied while encapsulated or after
dissolution of the host. In the case of polyaniline formed on oxidation of
aniline with persulfate, microwave absorption shows the presence of
conducting filaments in the host channels. The above systems are
compared with graphite-type material encapsulated in MCM-41 by first
forming a precursor polymer such as polyacrylonitrile that is pyrolyzed
at 500-800°C. These polymer chains are the first nanometer-size
conducting filaments stabilized in a well-defined channel host
