Synthesis,characterization, and comparison of self‐doped,doped, and undoped forms of polyaniline,poly(o‐anisidine), and poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)]

Polyaniline (PANI), poly(o‐anisidine), and poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)] were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization with ammonium persulfate as an oxidizing reagent in an HCl medium. The viscosities, electrical conductivity, and crystallinity of the resulting polymers (self‐doped forms) were compared with those of the doped and undoped forms. The self‐doped, doped, and undoped forms of these polymers were characterized with infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and a four‐point‐probe conductivity method. X‐ray diffraction characterization revealed the crystalline nature of the polymers. The observed decrease in the conductivity of the copolymer and poly(o‐anisidine) with respect to PANI was attributed to the incorporation of the methoxy moieties into the PANI chain. The homopolymers attained conductivity in the range of 3.97 × 10^?3 to 7.8 S/cm after doping with HCl. The conductivity of the undoped forms of the poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)] and poly(o‐anisidine) was observed to be lower than 10^?5 J/S cm^?1. The conductivity of the studied polymer forms decreased by the doping process in the following order: self‐doped → doped → undoped. The conductivity of the studied polymers decreased by the monomer species in the following order: PANI → poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)] → poly(o‐anisidine). All the polymer samples were largely amorphous, but with the attachment of the pendant groups of anisidine to the polymer system, the crystallinity region increased. The undoped form of poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)] had good solubility in common organic solvents, whereas doped poly[aniline‐co‐(o‐anisidine)] was moderately crystalline and exhibited higher conductivity than the anisidine homopolymer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

Comparison of poly(o‐anisidine) and poly(o‐anisidine‐co‐aniline) copolymer synthesized by chemical oxidative method

In this study, poly(o‐anisidine) [POA], poly(o‐anisidine‐co‐aniline) [POA‐co‐A], and polyaniline [PANi] were chemically synthesized using a single polymerization process with aniline and o‐anisidine as the respective monomers. During the polymerization process, p‐toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate was used as a dopant while ammonium persulfate was used as an oxidant. N‐methyl‐pyrolidone (NMP) was used as a solvent. We observed that the ATR spectra of POA‐co‐A showed features similar to those of PANi and POA as well as additional ones. POA‐co‐A also achieved broader and more extended UV–vis absorption than POA but less than PANi. The chemical and electronic structure of the product of polymerization was studied using Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy (ATR) and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The transition temperature of the homopolymers and copolymers was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and the viscosity average molecular weight was studied by using dilute solution viscometry. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Copolymerization of poly(1‐naphthylamine) with aniline and o‐toluidine

The commercial use of polyaniline has been impeded by its intractable nature and insolubility. The use of substituted polyaniline has been attempted mainly to increase the processibility of polyaniline, but this approach usually results in the lowering of the conductivity. This study reports the synthesis of poly(1‐naphthylamine), a fused ring derivative of polyaniline, and its copolymers with aniline and o‐toluidine via a chemical polymerization method. Spectral, thermal, morphological, and conductivity studies were carried out to elucidate the influence of the incorporation of aniline and o‐toluidine units into poly(1‐naphthylamine). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Surface modification of temperature‐responsive polymer particles by an electrically conducting polyaniline shell layer

In this research an attempt was made to prepare biocompatible electrically conductive composite polymer particles in view of their wide applications in biotechnology. Temperature‐sensitive polymer particles have applications as drug carriers, bioseparators, bioreactor cell activators and diagnostic reagents. So a combination of diverse properties in a single polymer composite is expected to increase its application potential. Here temperature‐responsive poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide‐methyl methacrylate‐N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide) (P(NIPAM‐MMA‐MBAAm)) core particles were prepared by emulsion copolymerization without using any stabilizer. In a second step seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of different amounts of aniline was carried out in the presence of submicron‐sized core particles to obtain P(NIPAM‐MMA‐MBAAm)/polyaniline composite particles. For a comparative study, reference polyaniline particles were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, UV?visible spectroscopy, thermal and X‐ray diffraction analyses showed that composite particles prepared with higher aniline content (0.8 g) per unit mass (g) of core particles had high surface coverage compared with lower aniline content (0.1 g). © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(o‐anisidine)/V2O5 and poly(o‐anthranilic acid)/V2O5 nanocomposites

Poly(o‐anisidine)/V₂O₅ and poly(o‐anthranilic acid)/V₂O₅ nanocomposites were prepared by in situ intercalative polymerization, and the structure and electrical properties of these nanocomposites were investigated using GPC, TGA, XRD, TEM, FTIR, UV‐vis as well as conductivity measurement. The results show that the steric effect and nature of the substituting groups in the aromatic ring has an influence on the structure and electrical properties of the nanocomposites. Poly(o‐anisidine) or poly(o‐anthranilic acid) exists as a monolayer of outstretched chains in the gallery of the V₂O₅ xerogel owing to the confined environment in the nanometer‐size gallery. And intercalation of poly(o‐anisidine) or poly(o‐anthranilic acid) can improve the conductivity of V₂O₅ xerogel. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

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     

Copolymers of aniline with o‐ and m‐toluidine: synthesis and characterization

Copolymers of aniline and toluidine were synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization using different ratios of the monomers in the feed, and characterized by a number of techniques including UV–visible, IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and EPR spectroscopies, as well as by thermogravimetric analysis and conductivity measurements. The properties of the copolymers are influenced by the amount of toluidine in the copolymer. Poly(o‐toluidine) and poly(m‐toluidine) are noticeably different in their solubility and conductivity. The copolymers show better solubilities than polyaniline but have lower conductivities. Differences in the properties of the salt and base forms of the copolymers are pointed out. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of poly(aniline‐co‐o‐toluidine) coatings and their corrosion‐protection performance on low‐carbon steel

Strongly adherent poly(aniline‐co‐o‐toluidine) coatings were synthesized on low‐carbon‐steel substrates by the electrochemical copolymerization of aniline with o‐toluidine with sodium tartrate as the supporting electrolyte. These coatings were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The formation of the copolymer with the mixture of monomers in the aqueous sodium tartrate solution was ascertained by a critical comparison of the results obtained from the polymerizations of the individual monomers, aniline and o‐toluidine. The optical absorption spectrum of the copolymer was drastically different from the spectra of the respective homopolymers, polyaniline and poly(o‐toluidine). The extent of the corrosion protection offered by poly(aniline‐co‐o‐toluidine) coatings to low‐carbon steel was investigated in aqueous 3% NaCl solutions by open‐circuit‐potential measurements and a potentiodynamic polarization technique. The results of the potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that the poly(aniline‐co‐o‐toluidine) coatings provided more effective corrosion protection to low‐carbon steel than the respective homopolymers. The corrosion rate depended on the feed ratio of o‐toluidine used for the synthesis of the copolymer coatings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103:1868–1878, 2007     

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     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(2‐ethylaniline)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(o‐phenetidine)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) complexes

This research focuses on the synthesis of ethyl and ethoxy substituted polyaniline with poly(styrenesulfonic acid) comprising a poly(o‐phenetidine)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [P(O? P)‐PSSA] and poly(2‐ethylaniline)–poly(styrenesulfonic acid) [P(2‐E)‐PSSA]. The complexes P(O? P)‐PSSA and P(2‐E)‐PSSA were prepared by chemical polymerization of monomer (o‐phenetidine, 2‐ethylaniline) with PSSA using an oxidant of ammonium persulfate in 1M HCl solution; polyaniline (PANI), poly(2‐ethylaniline) (P2E), poly(o‐pheneditine) (POP), and polyaniline‐poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PANI‐PSSA) also were prepared by chemical polymerization to be the reference samples. The products were characterized by IR, VIS, EPR, water solubility, elemental analysis, conductivity, SEM, and TEM. IR spectral studies shown that the structure of P(2‐E)‐PSSA and P(O? P)‐PSSA complexes is similar to that of polyaniline. EPR and visible spectra indicate the formation of polarons. The morphology of the blend was investigated by measured SEM and TEM, indicating the conducting component and electrically conductive property of the polymer complexes. The pH value for deprotonation [pH ≥ 9.5 for P(2‐E)‐PSSA and pH ≥ 8.0 for P(O? P)‐PSSA] are higher than that of corresponding HCl salts, indicating an intimate interaction between polymer chains. Elemental analysis results show that P(O? P)‐PSSA has a nitrogen‐to‐sulfur ratio of ～52%, larger than that for P(2‐E)‐PSSA, ～41%. The conductivity of the complexes is around 10^?2S/cm, and the solubility of P(2‐E)‐PSSA and P(O? P)‐PSSA in water is 2.9 and 1.9 g/L, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1198–1205, 2005     

Exploration of the morphological transition phenomenon of polyaniline from microspheres to nanotubes in acid‐free aqueous 1‐propanol solution in a single polymerization process

Polyaniline micro‐ or nanostructures have been widely investigated due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Although several studies have reported the synthesis of polyaniline microspheres and nanotubes, their mechanisms of formation remain controversial. This study reports our observation of the morphological transition of polyaniline from microspheres to nanotubes in a single polymerization process and also tries to propose their mechanisms of formation. The polymerization of aniline monomer in acid‐free aqueous 1‐propanol solutions (1 and 2 mol L^?1) produces polyaniline microspheres and nanotubes at different reaction stages through a morphology transition process with treatment using ultrasound. In the initial reaction stage, Fourier transform infrared spectra indicate that the aniline monomers form phenazine‐like units, producing polyaniline microspheres with an outside diameter of 1–2 µm. The hydrogen bonds between 1‐propanol and polyaniline serve as the driving force for the polyaniline chains to build microspheres. As the reaction continues, observation indicates the microspheres decompose and reform one‐dimensional nanotubes. In this stage, a structure consisting of a head of phenazine‐like units and a tail of acid‐doping para‐linked aniline units develops. The protonation of the para‐linked aniline units provides the driving force for the formation of nanotubes through a self‐curling process. We report here the unique morphology transition of polyaniline from microspheres to nanotubes in a single polymerization process. The results indicate that the structural change of polyaniline leads to this morphological change. The mechanisms of formation of the microspheres and nanotubes in a polymerization process are also well explained. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10^?5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10^?7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Shielding and dielectric properties of sulfonic acid‐doped π‐conjugated polymer in 8.2–12.4 GHz frequency range

This article deals with dielectric and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of the polyaniline doped with dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) synthesized by microemulsion polymerization of aniline in aqueous solution of DBSA. Dielectric constant and shielding effectiveness due to absorption (SE_A) were calculated using S‐parameter obtained from the vector network analyzer in 8.2–12.4 GHz frequency range. Maximum SE_A of 26 dB (>99%) was achieved for polymer sample. The real part ε′ of complex permittivity shows small variation, whereas the imaginary part ε″ is found to decrease with the increase in frequency. Different formulations have been performed to see the effect of monomer to dopant ratio on intrinsic properties of polyaniline. Further characterization of polymer was carried out by UV–visible and thermal gravimetric analysis, whereas the conductivity measurements were carried out by the four‐probe method.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Thermal and flame‐retardant properties of polyester fabric grafted with polyanilines

The chemical grafting of polyaniline, poly(o‐anisidine), and poly(o‐toluidine) on polyester fabric was carried out with ammonium peroxodisulfate in an acidic medium. The formation of the grafted fabric substrate was confirmed with reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, weight‐loss studies, and conductivity measurements. The grafting percentage and efficiency percentage were determined for the different grafted substrates. The thermal and flame‐retardant properties of these grafted substrates were elucidated. Thermogravimetric analysis thermograms and derivative thermogravimetry curves showed that the grafted substrates had a higher thermal stability and char‐residue percentage at 700°C. The grafted substrates showed a higher activation energy of thermal decomposition than the nongrafted substrates. The grafted substrates showed good flame retardancy, which was evident from the increase in the limited oxygen index in comparison with that of the nongrafted substrate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1981–1988, 2004     

Electrochemical synthesis and corrosion performance of poly(pyrrole-co-o-anisidine)

The electrochemical synthesis of poly(o-anisidine) homopolymer and its copolymerization with pyrrole have been investigated on mild steel. The copolymer films have been synthesized from aqueous oxalic acid solutions containing different ratios of monomer concentrations: pyrrole:o-anisidine, 9:1, 8:2, 6:4, 1:1. The characterization of polymer films were achieved with FT-IR, UV–visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The electrochemical synthesis of homogeneous-stable poly(o-anisidine) film with desired thickness was very difficult on steel surface. Therefore its copolymer with pyrrole has been studied to obtain a polymer film, which could be synthesized easily and posses the good physical–chemical properties of anisidine. The kinetics and rate of copolymer film growth were strongly related to monomer feed ratio. The introduction of pyrrole unit into synthesis solution increased the rate of polymerization and the substrate surface became covered with polymer film soon, while this process required longer periods in single o-anisidine containing solution. The protective behavior of coatings has been investigated against steel corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution. For this aim electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and anodic polarization curves were utilized. The synthesized poly(o-anisidine) coating exhibited significant protection efficiency against mild steel corrosion. It was shown that 6:4 ratio of pyrrole and anisidine solution gave the most stable and corrosion protective copolymer coating.     

Preparation and characterization of conducting polymer coating on ABS substrate

Conducting polymer coatings on ABS were prepared by dipping them into m‐cresol solutions containing polyaniline (PANI), poly(o‐toluidine) (POT), and poly(o‐anisidine) (PoAN) protonated with dioctyl hydrogen phosphate (DiOHP) in the presence and absence of polystyrene (PS). The surface resistivity of ABS plates coated with DiOHP‐doped PANI in the presence and absence of PS were 5.3 × 10⁷ and 3.0 × 10⁵ Ω, respectively. The ABS plates coated with DiOHP‐doped PoAN and ‐doped POT showed higher resistivities (4.2 × 10⁹ and 2.4 × 10⁷ Ω, respectively) than that with DiOHP‐doped PANI. Although the conductivity of the coated ABS with DiOHP‐doped PANI was less in the presence of PS, the permanency and uniformity of the coating, which are very important for practical use, were much improved. Coatings and the coated ABS were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, TG/MS, SEM, and reduced viscosity measurements. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2661–2669, 2001     

Spectroscopic study of polytoluidines in the UV-visible and IR regions

Electropolymerization of o-toluidine(o-methylaniline) and m-toluidine was carried out in acidic aqueous solution, and UV-visible and IR spectra of the resulting polymer films were obtained at various electric potentials and pHs. In Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution, poly(o-toluidine) gave considerably different UV-visible spectra from polyaniline, whereas, in HCl (pH ～ 0), the spectra of poly(o-toluidine) changed in the same way as polyaniline when the potential was varied. This spectral change depended also on counterion. This suggests that the intermediate state (radical cation) of poly(o-toluidine) is unstable in a neutral solution especially when a large counter ion exists, which is contrast to polyaniline. The dependency of the FT-IR spectra of poly(o-toluidine) on the potential and pH supported also the above result of UV-visible spectra. From both UV-visible and IR spectra under various conditions, it was found that o-toluidine and m-toluidine give the same polymer.     

Copolymers of aniline and o‐methoxyaniline. II. Thermoanalytical studies

A study on the thermal stability, thermodynamical parameters, especially relaxation transition temperature (T_g), and their change upon irreversible reactions (crosslinking, postpolymerization, decomposition, etc.) taking place on heating of the undoped homo‐ and copolymers of aniline and o‐methoxyaniline was performed by using differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that polyaniline and its oligomers might be responsible for the postpolymerization process observed on heating thermograms of the polymers in their emeraldine base form. It can be stated that the proceeding of this process appears to be a reason for the higher thermal stability of polyaniline when compared with poly(o‐methoxyaniline). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2729–2734, 2007     

Preparation of PAA‐g‐PEG/PANI polymer gel electrolyte and its application in quasi solid state dye‐sensitized solar cells

A microporous hybrid polymer of poly(acrylic acid)‐g‐poly(ethylene glycol)/polyaniline (PAA‐g‐PEG/PANI) is synthesized by a two‐step solution polymerization method. The influence of aniline concentration on the conductivity of PAA‐g‐PEG/PANI gel electrolyte is discussed, when the concentration of aniline is 0.66 wt%, the conductivity of PAA‐g‐PEG/PANI gel electrolyte is 11.50 mS cm^?1. Using this gel electrolyte as host, a quasi solid state dye‐sensitized solar cell (QS‐DSSC) is assembled. The QS‐DSSC based on this gel electrolyte achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.38% under a simulated solar illumination of 100 mW cm^?2 (AM 1.5). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:322–326, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline derivative and silver nanoparticle composites

BACKGROUND: There has been a recent surge of interest in the synthesis and applications of electroactive polymers with incorporated metal nanoparticles. These hybrid systems are expected to display synergistic properties between the conjugated polymers and the metal nanoparticles, making them potential candidates for applications in sensors and electronic devices. RESULTS: Composites of polyaniline derivatives—polyaniline, poly(2,5‐dimethoxyaniline) and poly(aniline‐2,5‐dimethoxyaniline)—and silver nanoparticles were prepared through simultaneous polymerization of aniline derivative and reduction of AgNO₃ in the presence of poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS). We used AgNO₃ as one of the initial components (1) to form the silver nanoparticles and (2) as an oxidizing agent for initiation of the polymerization reaction. UV‐visible spectra of the synthesized nanocomposites reveal the synchronized formation of silver nanoparticles and polymer matrix. The morphology of the silver nanoparticles and degree of their dispersion in the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry results indicate an enhancement of the thermal stability of the nanocomposites compared to the pure polymers. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites is in the range 10^?4 to 10^?2 S cm^?1. CONCLUSION: A single‐step process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle–polyaniline derivative nanocomposites doped with PSS has been demonstrated. The approach in which silver nanoparticles are formed simultaneously during the polymerization process results in a good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the conductive polymer matrix. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry