Synthesis of processable polyaniline complexed with anionic surfactant and its conducting blends in aqueous and organic system

Processable polyaniline doped and complexed with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (PANI/DBSA) was synthesized by one-step micellar chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. PANI/DBSA composite can be redispersed in water after purification at the appropriate content of DBSA. Its particle size at various DBSA/PANI molar ratios prepared by this procedure was investigated by using diluted suspension. Homogeneous suspension in m-cresol was also obtained without precipitation by using PANI/DBSA. Such a processable polyaniline was used to prepare polyaniline composites blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in water and polyacrylate in organic solvents, respectively. All these two types of composite show high conductivity despite the low weight fractions of polyaniline and its complex with DBSA. Effects of DBSA/PANI molar ratio on conductivity of polyaniline composite, dispersity of polyaniline in aqueous system, and stability of the dispersion were also studied. Increase of DBSA/PANI molar ratio can improve the conductivity of PANI/DBSA composite as well as its complex with PVA due to the increase of dispersity of PANI in the aqueous system in the presence of anionic surfactant.