Flexible conductive polyaniline-silica/polypropylene composite membrane

Flexible mesoporous-silica/polypropylene (PP) composite membrane has been prepared by undertaking co-assemblies of surfactants and inorganic sol–gel processes inside pores of porous PP membrane. Aniline monomer was introduced in the mesopores of the above composite membrane and polymerized therein. Then flexible conductive polyaniline (PANI)–silica/PP composite membrane was synthesized. The conductivity of these functional membranes could be tuned within a certain range. And their mechanical properties were much better than porous PP membrane, even silica/PP membrane because that the PANI interspersed into the membrane and formed interpenetrating network structure, which acted as numerous stitches between the PP and silica. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to investigate the morphologies of these functional composite membranes. Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was used to investigate the mechanical properties.

► Flexible conductive PANI–silica/PP composite membranes were synthesized.
► PANI was inserted into the membrane forming interpenetrating network structure.
► The conductivity of these functional membranes could be tuned.
► The mechanical properties were much improved.