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Preparation and characterization of polyaniline with high electrical conductivity
Author(s) -
Zhang Keqing,
Jing Xinli
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1333
Subject(s) - polyaniline , materials science , dopant , crystallinity , electrical resistivity and conductivity , polymerization , conductivity , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , methanesulfonic acid , doping , organic chemistry , polymer , chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , electrical engineering , engineering
In the present paper, polyaniline (PANI) was polymerized by ammonium persulphate using a chemically oxidative process under mild tempertures ranging from −5–20°C. Electrical conductivity of as synthesized PANI got enhanced gradually owing to the increase in molecular weight and crystallinity with decrease in synthesis temperature. Extraction with tetrahydrofuran (THF) was employed as the purification method of emeraldine base (EB) to enhance the electrical conductivity of PANI effectively attributed to the removal of the low molecular weight fractions and defective molecular chains. Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) was used to dope EB due to its strong acidity and small molecular size, and the amount of dopant versus EB was also optimized. Using a novel “synergistic doping” process with m‐ cresol, electrical conductivity of PANI is further enhanced owing to more regular molecular chains which resulted in better interchain charge carriers' conduction. The emeraldine salts obtained finally have high electrical conductivity reaching up to 32.5 S cm −1 , which is much higher than that of the conventionally synthesized sample reported previously. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.