Electrochemical synthesis of poly(2‐iodoaniline) and poly(aniline‐co‐2‐iodoaniline) in acetonitrile

Poly(2‐iodoaniline) (PIANI) and poly(aniline‐co‐2‐iodoaniline) [P(An‐co‐2‐IAn)] were synthesized by electrochemical methods in acetonitrile solution containing tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) and perchloric acid (HClO₄). The voltametry of the copolymer shows characteristics similar to those of conventional polyaniline (PANI), and it exhibits higher dry electrical conductivity than PIANI and lower than PANI. The observed decrease in the conductivity of the copolymer relative to PANI is attributed to the incorporation of the iodine moieties into the PANI chain. The structure and properties of these conducting films were characterized by FTIR and UV‐Vis spectroscopy and by an electrochemical method (cyclic voltametry). Conductivity values, FTIR and UV‐Vis spectra of the PIANI and copolymer were compared with those of PANI and the relative solubility of the PIANI and the copolymer powders was determined in various organic solvents. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1652–1658, 2003     

Electrochemical preparation of poly(2‐bromoaniline) and poly(aniline‐co‐2‐bromoaniline) in acetonitrile

Electrochemical preparation of poly(2‐bromoaniline) (PBrANI) and poly(aniline‐co‐2‐bromoaniline) [P(An‐co‐2‐BrAn)] was carried out in an acetonitrile solution containing tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) and perchloric acid (HClO₄). The cyclic voltammograms during the copolymerization had many features similar to those for the usual polymerization of aniline. The copolymer exhibits a higher dry electrical conductivity value than that of PBrANI and a lower one than that of PANI. The observed decrease in the conductivity of the copolymer relative to PANI is attributed to the incorporation of bromine moieties into the polyaniline chain. The structure and properties of the polymer and copolymer were elucidated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), FTIR, and UV‐vis spectroscopy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2460–2468, 2003     

Environmental stability of electrically conductive viologen–polyaniline systems

Viologen–polyaniline (PANI) systems were prepared by PANI being coated onto viologen‐grafted low‐density polyethylene films. PANI in this system could undergo photoinduced doping with ultraviolet irradiation. The electrical stability of the electrically conductive viologen–PANI systems was found to be stable in air, but the conductivity decreased rapidly when the sample was treated in aqueous media of pH > 5 because of the migration of the anions out of PANI into water. However, the conductivity increased by a factor of 2 after treatment in a 1M HCl solution because of the further protonation of PANI by acid. The structural changes of these systems were monitored with ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and resistance measurements. The electrical stability of the viologen–PANI system in water could be enhanced via spin coating with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) because this layer inhibited the migration of the anions out of the system. The photoinduced doping of PANI could be carried out either before or after the spin coating of PMMA. The advantages and limitations of each method were demonstrated. A PMMA coating with a thickness of approximately 10 μm allowed a significant doping level to be achieved within a short period of irradiation and, at the same time, effectively shielded the film from the effects of the aqueous medium. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2099–2107, 2002     

Electrochemical behaviors of polyaniline–poly(styrene‐sulfonic acid) complexes and related films

This research focuses on the syntheses of polyaniline with poly(styrenesulfonic acid) and their electrochemical behavior, including absorbance behavior and electrochemical response time of polyaniline‐poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [PANI–PSSA]. The complexes PANI–PSSA were prepared by electrochemical polymerization of monomer (aniline) with PSSA, using indium‐tin oxide (ITO) as working electrode in 1M HCl solution. Polyaniline (PANI), poly(o‐phenetidine)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [POP–PSSA], and poly(2‐ethylaniline)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [P2E‐PSSA] also were prepared by electrochemical polymerization and to be the reference samples. The products were characterized by IR, VIS, EPR, water solubility, elemental analysis, conductivity, SEM, and TEM. IR spectral studies shows that the structure of PANI–PSSA complexes is similar to that of polyaniline. EPR and visible spectra indicate the formation of polarons. The morphology of the blend were investigated by SEM and TEM, which indicate the conducting component and electrically conductive property of the polymer complexes. Elemental analysis results show that PANI–PSSA has a nitrogen to sulfur ratio (N/S) of 38%, lower than that for POP–PSSA (52%) and P2E–PSSA (41%). Conductivity of the complexes are around 10^?2 S/cm, solubility of PANI–PSSA in water is 3.1 g/L. The UV‐Vis. absorbance spectra of the hybrid organic/inorganic complementary electro‐chromic device (ECD), comprising a polyaniline–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [PANI–PSSA] complexes and tungsten oxide (WO₃) thin film coupled in combination with a polymer electrolyte poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐propane‐sulfonic acid) [PAMPSA]. PANI–PSSA microstructure surface images have been studied by AFM. By applying a potential of ～3.0 V across the two external ITO contacts, we are able to modulate the light absorption also in the UV‐Vis region (200–900 nm) wavelength region. For example, the absorption changes from 1.20 to 0.6 at 720 nm. The complexes PANI–PSSA, POP–PSSA, and P2E–PSSA were prepared by electrochemical polymerization of monomer (aniline, o‐phenetidine, or 2‐ethylaniline) with poly(styrenesulfonic acid), using ITO as working electrode in 1M HCl solution, respectively. UV‐Vis spectra measurements shows the evidences for the dopped polyaniline system to be a highly electrochemical response time, recorded at the temperature 298 K, and the results were further analyzed on the basis of the color‐ discolor model, which is a typical of protontation systems. Under the reaction time (3 s) and monomer (aniline, o‐phenetidine, 2‐ethylaniline) concentration (0.6M) with PSSA (0.15M), the best electrochemical color and discolor time of the PANI–PSSA is slower than POP–PSSA complexes (125/125 ms; thickness, 3.00 μm) and P2E–PSSA complexes. Under the same thickness (10 μm), the best electrochemical color and discolor time of the PANI–PSSA complexes is 1500/750 ms, that is much slower than P2E–PSSA complexes (750/500 ms) and POP–PSSA complexes (500/250 ms). In film growing rate, the PANI–PSSA complexes (0.54 μm/s) are slower than P2E–PSSA complexes (0.79 μm/s) and POP–PSSA complexes (1.00 μm/s), it can be attributed to the substituted polyaniline that presence of electro‐donating (? OC₂H₅ or ? C₂H₅₎ group present in aniline monomer. The EPR spectra of the samples were recorded both at 298 K and 77 K, and were further analyzed on the basis of the polaron–bipolaron model. The narrower line‐width of the substituted polyaniline complexes arises due to polarons; i.e., it is proposed that charge transport take place through both polarons and bipolarons, compared to their salts can be attributed to the lower degree of structural disorder, the oxygen absorption on the polymeric molecular complexes, and due to presence of electro‐donating (? OC₂H₅ or ? C₂H₅) group present in aniline monomer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100:4023–4044, 2006     

Electropreparation and electrochemical stability of polythiophenes in acetonitrile containing anhydrous HBF4

The electrooxidation behavior of thiophene and 3‐methylthiophene on a Pt surface in an acetonitrile + tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate solution were investigated. The electropolymerization of these monomers was studied in neutral, acidic, and basic media. The effects of thiophene concentration and the added acid were elucidated. The polythiophene and poly(3‐methylthiophene) films formed were characterized by their cyclic voltammograms in a blank solution and dry conductivities were measured. Electrochemical properties of these polymers in the same medium were investigated in the absence and in the presence of added anhydrous acid and base. The behavior of the freshly prepared films was compared with that which lost its electroactivity as a result of electrooxidation using cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential coulometry, and FTIR spectroscopy. The mechanisms related to the formation of the polymers and their electroactivity loss were proposed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 312–322, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(thiophen‐3‐yl acetic acid 4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl phenyl ester‐co‐N‐methylpyrrole) and its application in an electrochromic device

Copolymer of thiophen‐3‐yl acetic acid 4‐pyrrol‐1‐yl phenyl ester (TAPE) with N‐methylpyrrole (NMPy) was synthesized by potentiostatic electrochemical polymerization in acetonitrile–tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate solvent–electrolyte couple. The chemical structures were confirmed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and UV–vis spectroscopy. Electrochromic and spectroelectrochemical properties of poly(TAPE‐co‐NMPy) [P(TAPE‐co‐NMPy)] were investigated. Results showed that the copolymer revealed color change between light yellow and green upon doping and dedoping of the copolymer, with a moderate switching time. Furthermore, as an application, dual‐type absorptive/transmissive polymer electrochromic device (ECD) based on poly(TAPE‐co‐NMPy) and poly(3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT) have been assembled, where spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability, stability, and optical memory of the ECD were investigated. Results showed that the device exhibited good optical memory and stability with moderate switching time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1988–1994, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of anionic graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) grafts

Graft copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) side chain attached to maleic anhydride‐alt‐vinyl methyl ether (MA‐VME) copolymer were prepared by coupling MA‐VME and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEG) by esterification in DMF at 90°C. MPEG and dodecyl alcohol (DA) were grafted onto MA‐VME copolymer in o‐xylene at 140°C in the presence of p‐toluene sulfonic acid as catalyst. The molecular weights of MPEG were found to influence the rate of the grafting reaction and the final degree of conversion. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR, GPC, and ¹H‐NMR. DSC was used to examine thermal properties of the graft copolymers. The analysis indicates that grafts have phase‐separated morphology with the backbone and the MPEG grafts forming separate phases. The properties in aqueous solutions of these grafts were studied with respect to aggregation behavior and viscometric properties. In aqueous solution, the polymers exhibited polyelectrolyte behavior (i.e., a dramatic increase of the viscosity upon neutralization). Graft copolymers with DA have lower viscosities. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1138–1148, 2002     

Conductive composites from polyaniline and polyurethane sulphonate anionomer

The present work describes the synthesis of conductive composite of polyurethane sulphonate anionomer (PUSA) and para toluene sulphonic acid doped polyaniline (PANI–PTSA). HCl‐doped PANI was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in HCl, which was converted to PANI–EB by treatment with NH₄OH. PTSA doped PANI was synthesized from EB‐PANI by redoping with PTSA solution. PUSA was synthesized from 4, 4′‐diphenylmethanediisocyanate (MDI), polypropylene glycol (PPG), 1,4‐butanediol (BD), and ionic diol SDOL. The composite was prepared by mixing of the solutions of two polymer components in DMF and then solution casting. The products were characterized and analyzed by UV‐Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The conductivity was found to increase by 100 times with concomitant decrease in percolation threshold when polyurethane was replaced by PUSA in the composite for the same amount of polyaniline. The composite film was thermally stable upto ～300°C. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41600.     

Influence of the reaction temperature on polyaniline morphology and evaluation of their performance as supercapacitor electrode

The polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures of tubular, spherical, and granules morphologies were synthesized by chemical oxidation approach in different reaction temperatures and used as the active electrode materials of symmetric redox supercapacitors. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques are employed for characterization of these PANIs. With the initial and reaction temperature increase, the morphology of PANI turned from block to spherical and tubular. Electrochemical properties of these PANI electrodes are studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), agalvanostatic charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 1M H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. The highest electrochemical properties are obtained on the PANI with tubular morphology. The initial specific capacitance of tubular, spherical, and granules PANI are about 300, 300, and 290 F g^?1 at a constant current of 5 mA. Meanwhile, the retention of the tubular PANI capacitance after 500 charge–discharge cycles was 75%, whereas the spherical and granules PANI was only 35% and 57%. The results indicate that tubular PANI electrodes have potential applications as high‐performance supercapacitors electrode materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3753–3758, 2013     

Furan–thiophene copolymers: Electrosynthesis and electrochemical behavior

The electrochemical copolymerization of furan and thiophene was performed at a constant electrode potential in a binary solvent system consisting of boron trifluoride/ethyl ether and an additional amount of ethyl ether (molar ratio = 1 : 2). The obtained homopolymers and copolymers were characterized with cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroscopy. The influence of the applied electropolymerization potential and the monomer feed ratio of furan and thiophene on the copolymers was investigated. The furan–thiophene copolymers showed good stability of the redox activity in an acetonitrile‐based electrolyte solution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Corrosion protective bi‐layered composites of polyaniline and poly(o‐anisidine) on low carbon steel

Bi‐layered composites of polyaniline (PANI) and poly(o‐anisidine) (POA) were investigated for corrosion protection of low carbon steel (LCS). In this work, homopolymers and bi‐layers of PANI and POA were electropolymerized on LCS from an aqueous salicylate solution by using cyclic voltammetry. These coatings were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Corrosion tests were carried out in aqueous 3% NaCl solution for LCS coated with PANI, POA, bi‐layered POA/PANI (POA on top of the PANI) or PANI/POA (PANI on top of the POA) composites using open circuit potential (OCP) measurements, potentiodynamic polarization technique, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The single layer of PANI and POA protected the LCS in 3% NaCl for 8 and 16 h, respectively. The bi‐layered composite coatings provide effective protection to LCS for a longer time than a single layered PANI or POA coating. However, the corrosion protection offered to LCS depends on the deposition order of polymer layers in the composite. The PANI/POA composite provides better protection to LCS against corrosion than POA/PANI coating. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Aliphatic–aromatic polyester–polyaniline composites: preparation,characterization, antibacterial activity and conducting properties

Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) composites containing polyaniline (PANI) were prepared using a melt blending process. Acrylic‐acid‐grafted PBAT (PBAT‐g‐AA) and PANI were used to improve the compatibility and dispersibility of PANI within the PBAT matrix. The composites were characterised morphologically using scanning electron microscopy, chemically using Fourier transform IR spectrometry and ¹³C solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, and optically using UV‐visible spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of the composites was also evaluated with a resistance tester and a cyclic voltameter. Escherichia coli (BCRC 10239) was chosen as the standard bacterium for determining the antibacterial properties of the composite materials. The anti‐static properties of the composites were also evaluated. The PBAT‐g‐AA/PANI composite showed markedly enhanced antibacterial and anti‐static properties due to the formation of amide bonds by the condensation of the carboxylic acid groups of PBAT‐g‐AA with the amino groups of PANI. The optimal level of PANI was 9 wt%, as excess PANI led to separation of the two organic phases, lowering their compatibility. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spectral and electrochemical studies on blends of polyaniline and cellulose esters

Blends of chemically prepared polyaniline emeraldine base (PANi) with cellulose esters were studied as films by UV–visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The cellulose esters used were acetate, propionate, acetate butyrate, and acetate hydrogen phthalate. Films were prepared by casting from N‐methylpyrrolidone or formic acid, and the effect of doping by acids on their spectral and electrochemical properties was studied. Similar behavior was observed with the acetate, propionate, or acetate butyrate, with spectral changes on adding acid due to protonation of the PANi. In agreement with previous studies, kinetic measurements on PANi in a cellulose acetate matrix shows a relatively slow spectral change on protonation. In contrast, with cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate (CAHP), no changes were observed on adding acid, and it is suggested that the hydrogen phthalate group acts as proton donor. This was mirrored by the cyclic voltammetry behavior in hydrochloric acid solution. Electrochemical studies on films of PANi/CAHP blends in different relative proportions in sulfuric acid solution show a marked dependence on the solvent used for casting, with higher currents and better electrical conductivity being observed in films prepared from N‐methylpyrrolidone. This is shown to be due to the presence of PANi particles in the films. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2182–2188, 2002     

Capacitive performance of polyaniline/manganese dioxide nanofiber microsphere

This work has obtained polyaniline/manganese dioxide (PANI/MnO₂) nanofibers microsphere by interfacial chemical synthesis with 4‐amino‐thiophenol (4‐ATP) as the structure‐directing agent on the Au substrate. The cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to determine their capacitive performance. Powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements, and scanning electron microscope were performed for physical and chemical characterization. The effect of 4‐ATP and acids on the capacitive performance of PANI/MnO₂ nanofibers microsphere was elucidated. The as‐prepared PANI/MnO₂ was nanofiber about 30 nm diameters, and they further self‐assembled into sphere. Its specific capacitance is up to 765 F g^?1 at 1.0 mA cm^?2 in 1.0M Na₂SO₄ solution. And it shows a high stability with a capacitance fade of only 14.9% after 400 charge–discharge cycles. The symmetric capacitor of PANI/MnO₂ (PM10+)/PANI/MnO₂ (PM10?) is assembled in 1.0M Na₂SO₄ solution, and its capacitive performance is compared with that of PANI (+)/PANI (?) and MnO₂ (+)/MnO₂ (?). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40575.     

Preparation and properties of water‐soluble polyester surfactants. I. Preparation and surface activity of poly(ethylene glycol)‐dimethyl 5‐sulfo‐isophthalate sodium salt polyester surfactants

The reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, number‐average molecular weight M_n = 400‐2000) and dimethyl 5‐sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (SIPM) synthesized a series of anionic polymeric surfactants having a range of molecular weights. ¹H‐NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis were employed to characterize the structures of these compounds. Also, the influences of the PEG segment lengths of PEG/SIPM copolymers on the surface tension, foaming properties, wetting power, and dispersant properties were investigated. The experimental results indicated that the solution that contained the PEG/SIPM copolymer surfactants exhibited excellent surface‐active properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2727–2731, 2002     

High‐temperature oxidation of aniline to highly ordered polyaniline–sulfate salt with a nanofiber morphology and its use as electrode materials in symmetric supercapacitors

In this study, for the first time, aniline was oxidized by ammonium persulfate (APS) at higher temperatures without any protic acid, and APS acted as an oxidizing agent and a protonating agent. During the oxidation of aniline by APS, sulfuric acid formation occurred, and the sulfuric acid was incorporated into polyaniline (PANI) as a dopant. PANI–sulfate samples were characterized by IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. In this methodology, a highly ordered PANI–sulfate salt (H₂SO₄) with a nanofiber morphology was synthesized. Interestingly, a PANI base was also obtained with a highly ordered structure with an agglomerated netlike nanofiber morphology. PANI–H₂SO₄ was used as an electrode material in a symmetric supercapacitor cell. Electrochemical characterization, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge (CD), and impedance analysis, was carried out on the supercapacitor cells. In this study, the maximum specific capacitance obtained was found to be 273 F/g at 1 mV/s. Scan rate from cyclic voltammetry and 103 F/g at 1 mA discharge current from CD measurement. Impedance measurement was carried out at 0.6 V, and it showed a specific capacitance of 73.2 F/g. The value of the specific capacitance and energy and power densities for the PANI–H₂SO₄ system were calculated from CD studies at a 5‐mA discharge rate and were found to be 43 F/g, 9.3 W h/kg, and 500 W/kg, respectively, with 98–100% coulombic efficiency. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Electrochemical copolymerization and stability of crosslinked bis[1,2‐(pyrrol)ethoxy]ethane with pyrrole

The copolymers, pyrrole‐co‐bis[1,2‐(pyrrol)ethoxy]ethane (PEE), were produced by electropolymerization in acetonitrile (containing 0.1 mol L⁻¹ lithium perchlorate). The properties and morphology of these polymers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results exhibit that the cyclic voltammograms and rates of electropolymerization of the prepared copolymers were significantly affected by PEE concentration in water and acetonitrile solution. Higher applied potential was required for the polymerization with decreasing the ratio of pyrrole/PEE. This was ascribed to the steric hindrance of high concentration of N‐substituted groups. The SEM images of the poly(pyrrole‐co‐PEE) and PPEE films show more compact and more smooth morphology compared with that of PPy and cyclic voltammogram of the poly(pyrrole‐co‐PEE) films, which display good electrochemical stability in the mixed solution, indicating that the modification of crosslinked structure was effective for the stabilization of the redox cycles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyaniline with high crystallinity degree: Synthesis,structure, and electrochemical properties

Polyaniline (PANI) with high crystallinity degree was facilely synthesized on the surface of stainless steel net by galvanostatic method. The effect of polymerization current density on the characteristics of morphology and structure had been investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). FE‐SEM observations disclosed that PANI was deposited as nanofibers and their diameters decreased with the polymerization current density. FTIR studies revealed that degree of oxidation increased in order PANI‐2 < PANI‐6 < PANI‐10. XPS measurements displayed that PANI polymerized at 6 mA cm^?2 (PANI‐6) exhibited much higher doping level of 77.8%, which favored the conductivity. XRD analysis discovered that the obtained PANI showed high crystallinity degree in which PANI‐6 possessed highest crystallinity degree (X_cr) up to 67%. Electrochemical performances of PANI as electrode materials were studied via cyclic voltammetry. The results presented that PANI‐6 possessed greater discharge capacity and better reversibility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40827.     

Novel copolymers for electroluminescent devices

Two novel luminescent block copolymers (CE–PPV and CE–DMPPV), containing alternating distyrylbenzene [poly(phenylene vinylene) model oligomer] as light‐emitting units and crown‐ether segments as ionic conductive and spacer units were synthesized by use of a Wittig reaction between the dialdehyde monomer and 1,4‐xylylene‐bis(triphenylphosphonium bromide) or 1,4‐bis(triphenylphosphoniomethyl)‐2,5‐dimethoxybenzene dichloride. The synthesized polymers were characterized with FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, UV–Vis, differential scanning calorimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. The number‐average molecular weights were 6896 with a polydispersity index of 1.75 for CE–PPV, and 9301 with a polydispersity index of 2.474 for CE–DMPPV, respectively. The decomposition temperatures and the glass‐transition temperatures were in the range of 395–411°C and 75–77°C, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the copolymers were evaluated and the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit energy levels of the copolymers were estimated by cyclic voltammetry. Efficient light‐emitting diodes were successfully fabricated. The synthesis, characterization, and electroluminescent properties of the polymers are reported in this study. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3316–3321, 2002     

Preparation and self‐assembly of polyaniline nanorods and their application as electroactive actuators

To improve the performance of ion‐exchange polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuators, an electrical pathway material for enhancing the surface adhesion between the membrane and the metal electrodes of the IPMC was studied. As an efficient electrical pathway material, polyaniline nanorods (PANI‐NRs) doped with p‐toluene sulfonic acid (TSA) were synthesized with a template‐free method. The factors affecting polyaniline morphology were studied with various dopant concentrations and oxidant feeding rates. Highly conductive PANI‐NRs were formed when they were synthesized with ammonium persulfate at a 5.0 mL/min oxidant feeding rate and doped with 0.125M TSA. The conductivity of the PANI‐NRs was 1.15 × 10^?1 S/cm, and their diameters and lengths were 120–180 nm and 0.6–2 μm, respectively. To apply the membrane as an actuator, perfluorosulfonated ionomer (Nafion)/PANI‐NR blends were prepared by solution blending and casting. The actuating ability of the three‐layered membrane consisting of Nafion/PANI‐NR blends was then examined and compared with that of Nafion only. The actuating ability of the IPMC was improved when Nafion/PANI‐NRs were used as electrical pathways. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010