Microstructure and properties of novel fluorescent pyrene functionalized PANI/P(VDF‐HFP) blend

We herein report the preparation and properties of the first polymer blend using pyrene functionalized polyaniline (pf‐PANI). The pf‐PANI has been synthesized and its blend has been prepared with the copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene P(VDF‐HFP). The FTIR results reveal intermolecular interaction between the polar amide group of pf‐PANI and the polarized CH₂ group of P(VDF‐HFP). The crystalline phase of PVDF of the copolymer revealed a transformation from α to β crystalline form after blending with pf‐PANI, as found from FTIR and XRD measurements. The calorimetric measurements together with DMA results revealed the blend is partially miscible. The SEM measurements showed that the pf‐PANI has been dispersed uniformly in the P(VDF‐HFP) matrix. The solution photoluminescence spectrum of the pf‐PANI exhibited emission in the purple–blue region and is slightly red shifted for the blend. The possible applications of this flexible fluorescent pf‐PANI/P(VDF‐HFP) has been suggested. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40162.