Nanostructure of electrically conducting polyaniline prepared by a novel emulsion polymerization process
A soluble polyaniline (PANI) salt with moderate conductivity was synthesized by a novel emulsion polymerization process. The conductivity of the processed PANI films can be substantially increased by treating the polymer films with surfactants or with low molecular weight alcohols. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of thin polymer films revealed the existence of small islands of conducting PANI embedded in a non-conducting, dopant matrix. The conductivity of the PANI films is affected by the spatial distribution and the connectivity of these small islands. The conductivity enhancement observed upon treatment with surfactants is due to self-assembly of conducting PANI molecules into an interconnected network morphology. In the case of alcohol treatment the film conductivity is enhanced due to extraction of excess dopant phase and the subsequent densification of PANI islands to form highly conducting pathways.
- Research Organization:
- Monsanto Corporate Research, St. Louis, MO (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20034131
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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