Urea sensing film prepared by extrusion from DBSA-doped polyaniline-poly(styrene-co-potassium acrylate) in a poly(n-butyl methacrylate) matrix

Films of n-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (PANIDBSA), poly(styrene-co-potassium acrylate) (PSAK) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) were prepared by extrusion at different weight ratios. The electrical, mechanical and morphological properties of the films were studied and compared with those of films of PANIDBSA-PBMA in which the ionomer (PSAK) was not included. The PSAK incorporation improves the electrical properties, the tensile strength and the homogeneity of the films. The 50% PANIDBSA-PSAK composites showed good sensing capability toward NH3 and urea aqueous solutions. The urea sensitivity of the films was also evaluated in serum samples. The results show a good agreement with those of the standard method implemented in clinical laboratories.