Improving polyaniline processability by grafting acrylic copolymer

In this study styrenesulfonate of polyaniline/acrylic copolymers were synthesized via free radical polymerization through polymerization in dispersed medium. The resulting materials were applied onto glass-ITO slides using the air-brushing technique to obtain PAni based thin films. Analyses by scanning electron microscopy in TEM mode (STEM) indicated that depending on the acrylic monomer combination (methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid or butyl acrylate) the adhesion on the substrate was better than styrenesulfonate of polyaniline (PAni–SSA) homopolymer. The effect of the combination of the acrylic monomers on the electrical properties was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Results indicated that the electrical properties of the acrylic copolymer could be enhanced by varying the glass transition temperature. From these findings it was concluded that the inclusion of butyl acrylate in the copolymer was the critical condition to improve adhesion and electrical properties.

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► Grafting of acrylic copolymers on polyaniline–styrenesulfonate were synthesized via polymerization in dispersed medium.
► Styrenesulfonate was used as the doping agent and as the link between the polyaniline and the acrylic copolymers.
► Butyl acrylate presence in the copolymers improved adhesion and film properties.
► Electrical properties were dependent on the film properties.