Sensor properties of materials based on fluoride polymer F-4SF films modified by polyaniline

• The application of polyaniline layers onto the surface of films have been found.
• Obtained composites are characterized by high sensitivity to the pH change.
• Obtained F-4SF/PANI films can be used as sensors for determination of solutions pH.

sThe conditions for the formation of an anion-exchange layer of polyaniline on the surface of uncharged hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene film F-4SF were found. The effect of the F-4SF films pretreatment by different organic solvents for self-assembly synthesis of the PANI layers on an inert substrate was studied. Formation of PANI layers in the form of emeraldine salt leads to a change of the F-4SF surface properties towards hydrophilic from completely hydrophobic while also adding anion-exchanging properties. Obtained composite film F-4SF/PANI is highly sensitive towards pH value of a solution in which it is immersed, due to protonation–deprotonation reaction of the emeraldine salt. At the same time, this change in the chemical structure of the polyaniline is reversible, so composite material F-4SF/PANI can be used for development of optical pH sensors.