Solid-state oxidation of aniline hydrochloride with various oxidants

► Aniline hydrochloride was oxidized in the solid state with three different oxidants: ammonium peroxydisulfate, iron(III) chloride, and silver nitrate. ► Solid-state reaction with APS leads to a conducting product with conductivity of 0.21 S cm−1. ► Non-conducting material was obtained after reaction with iron(III) chloride. ► The oxidation with silver nitrate yields a composite material, polyaniline salt and silver particles, with conductivity 1.5 × 10−3 S cm−1.