Stable, concentrated solutions of high molecular weight polyaniline and articles therefrom

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:873137

Mattes, Benjamin R ^[1]; Wang, Hsing-Lin ^[2]

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1. Sante Fe, NM
2. Los Alamos, NM

Stable, concentrated solutions of high molecular weight polyaniline. In order to process high quality fibers and other articles possessing good mechanical properties, it is known that solution concentrations of the chosen polymer should be in the range from 15-30% (w/w). Moreover, it is desirable to use the highest molecular weight consistent with the solubility properties of the polymer. However, such solutions are inherently unstable, forming gels before processing can be achieved. The present invention describes the addition gel inhibitors (GIs) to the polymer solution, thereby permitting high concentrations (>15% (w/w)) of high molecular weight ((M.sub.w)>120,000, and (M.sub.n)>30,000) emeraldine base (EB) polyaniline to be dissolved. Secondary amines have been used for this purpose in concentrations which are small compared to those which might otherwise be used in a cosolvent role therefor. The resulting solutions are useful for generating excellent fibers, films, coatings and other objects, since the solutions are stable for significant time periods, and the GIs are present in too small concentrations to cause polymer deterioration. It is demonstrated that the GIs found to be useful do not act as cosolvents, and that gelation times of the solutions are directly proportional to the concentration of GI. In particular, there is a preferred concentration of GI, which if exceeded causes structural and electrical conductivity degradation of resulting articles. Heating of the solutions significantly improves solubility.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6099907
• OSTI ID: 873137
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

stable
concentrated
solutions
molecular
weight
polyaniline
articles
therefrom
process
quality
fibers
possessing
mechanical
properties
solution
concentrations
chosen
polymer
range
15-30
moreover
desirable
consistent
solubility
inherently
unstable
forming
gels
processing
achieved
describes
addition
inhibitors
gis
permitting
15
120
000
30
emeraldine
base
dissolved
secondary
amines
purpose
compared
otherwise
cosolvent
role
resulting
useful
generating
excellent
films
coatings
significant
time
periods
deterioration
demonstrated
found
cosolvents
gelation
times
directly
proportional
concentration
particular
preferred
exceeded
causes
structural
electrical
conductivity
degradation
heating
significantly
improves
weight polyaniline
articles therefrom
concentrated solution
concentrated solutions
resulting solution
significantly improves
solution concentrations
molecular weight
time period
mechanical properties
electrical conductivity
directly proportional
polymer solution
time periods
quality fibers
resulting solutions
significant time
resulting articles
resulting article
secondary amines
solubility properties
solutions significantly
weight poly
weight consistent
articles possessing
polymer deterioration
preferred concentration
causes structural
chosen polymer
gelation times
emeraldine base
exceeded causes
excellent fibers
generating excellent
gis found
cosolvent role
conductivity degradation
improves solubility
inherently unstable
forming gels
significantly improve
secondary amine
solution concentration
/427/528/