Preparation of conductive polyaniline/chlorosulfonated polyethylene blends via solution mixing and study of their properties

Polyaniline soluble in organic solvents was prepared by oxidative polymerisation of aniline in dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA) media. The solubility parameter was calculated [1] and the most suitable solvent (tetrahydrofuran) was selected [2] for the solubility and the most compatible polymer chlorosulfonated polyethylene [PCSPE] was selected for blending. Blending of polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate (PAni.DBSA) with poly(chlorosulfonated polyethylene) was carried out via solution mixing. Morphological studies were carried out by optical microscopy and TEM, and thermal analysis was performed. All the techniques showed a good degree of compatibility between the two polymers. The electrical conductivities of blends with proportions of 1 to 50 wt% PAni.DBSA were measured by 2- and 4-probe techniques. The conductivity increased as the proportion of PAni.DBSA increased, showing a percolation threshold [3] below 1% by mass, which was explained by a change in the conformation of the polymeric chains leading to an increase in the conductivity. The critical exponent for percolation [4] was estimated. Keywords: conductive polymers; blends; PAni.DBSA; poly(chlorosulfonated polyethylene); conducting blends References [1] Hoy KL. Journal of Paint Technology 1970, 42, 76. [2] Poussin D, Morgan H, Foot PJS. Polymer International 2003, 52, 433-8. [3] Yong KC, Foot PJS et al, European Polymer Journal 2006, 42, 1716-1727 [4] Stauffer D. Introduction to Percolation Theory. London: Taylor and Francis, 1985.