Physical characterization of emulsion intercalated polyaniline–clay nanocomposite

Using emulsion polymerization method, polyaniline (PAN)–Na+–montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposites were synthesized. Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) was used as an emulsifier and dopant during emulsion polymerization. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that PAN–DBSA was intercalated between clay layers in the order of nanoscale. The room temperature (RT) dc conductivities of nanocomposites were 1–10−3 S/cm depending on the molar ratio of dopants used. Temperature dependence of dc conductivity for the nanocomposites followed a quasi-one-dimensional (1D) variable range hopping (VRH) model. From temperature dependence of electron paramagnetic resonance experiments, magnetic properties and the density of states of the systems were obtained. The doping level of the nanocomposites was deduced from the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments. From the comparison of physical properties between PAN with clay and PAN without clay, the effects of dopant and the layer of clay on charge transport and structure are discussed.