Branched and phenazinized polyaniline nanorod prepared in the presence of meta-phenylenediamine

Optical pictures clearly showed the formation of more aggregated cylindrical micelles in the presence of meta-phenylenediamine (mPDA) before polymerization. Small amount of mPDA mixed in the polymerization mixture was found to obtain a polyaniline with branched, nano-fibrous morphology seen by SEM and TEM micrographs. And FTIR spectra indicated that some of the mPDA was consumed by coupling with aniline monomer to become chain end phenazines during polymerization, which can hinder the growth of the polymer chains. A high degree of dedoping for the PANINT-mDA due to its smaller MW was found by EDX spectra. The smaller MW of PANINT-mPDA cause the decrease of conductivity and delaying of the pH and temperature change during the polymerization. UV spectra illustrate free carrier tails similar to that of nanotubular polyaniline. However, a significant λmax can be seen in the initial stage of polymerization, which then developed into free carrier tail within 14 min of polymerization. Dedoping in ammonia water was found to be easier for the branched nanotubular polyaniline carried with phenazine chain ends.