Optical and conductivity studies of Pseudo‐doped chitin‐polyaniline blend

In this article, we report the preparation and characterization of self‐doped conducting chitin, polyaniline blends by solution blending method. The characterization of the blends was done by UV–vis absorption spectrum, FTIR, and conductivity studies. Conductivity of the self doped blends increases from less than ～10^?7 S/cm to 2.15 × 10^?5 S/cm, depending on the percentage of polyaniline in the blend. Spectroscopic analysis shows interaction between chitin and polyaniline and the electronic states are similar to those of the emeraldine and protonically doped forms of polyaniline. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007