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Concurrent genesis of color and electrical conductivity in leathers through in‐situ polymerization of aniline for smart product applications
Author(s) -
Jima Demisie Wegene,
Palanisamy Thanikaivelan,
Kaliappa Krishnaraj,
Kavati Phebe,
Bangaru Chandrasekaran
Publication year - 2015
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.3483
Subject(s) - ammonium persulfate , aniline , materials science , polyaniline , dopant , polymerization , scanning electron microscope , chemical engineering , conductivity , in situ polymerization , polymer chemistry , composite material , doping , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , polymer , chemistry , engineering
We present a simple method to produce self‐colored and conducting leathers using in‐situ polymerization of aniline with ammonium persulfate as oxidant and hydrochloric acid as dopant. The structural and morphological features of treated leathers were examined using Fourier transformed infra‐red spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic analyses. Results suggest the deposition of conducting emeraldine salt form of polyaniline on the leather substrate rather than other poorly conducting states. We also show that the treated leathers are bluish green through reflectance measurements thereby suggesting that the use of toxic and expensive dyes can be avoided for coloration process. Further, we demonstrate that a maximum electrical conductivity of 0.15 S/cm is obtained for the leather treated with optimal experimental conditions, which aids its application to operate touch‐screen devices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.