Preparation and characterization of chemically synthesized poly(N-methylaniline)

Poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA), a electrically conductive derivative of polyaniline was synthesized by chemical polymerization of N-methylaniline (NmANI) using ammoniumpersulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent and studied by electrical conductivity measurement, UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The observed electrical conductivity was found to have a dependence on some synthesis parameters. The oxidant/monomer molar ratio ∼1 and p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA)/monomer molar ratio ∼4 showed higher values of electrical conductivity for the polymer. The d.c. conductivities of PTSA doped poly(N-methylaniline) have been measured in the temperature range 298–373 K. The conductivity of the samples has been observed to show an increasing trend with increasing temperature. However, on increasing temperature from 298 K to 373 K, the conductivity rise was found to be more for the samples having lower dopant/monomer ratio. The observed d.c. conductivity data was described by Mottʹs three-dimensional variable range hopping (VRH) model.