Inverse miniemulsion copolymerisation of aniline with p-phenylenediamine

Polyaniline/poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PAN/PAPPD) copolymer was prepared in an inverse miniemulsion by the copolymerisation of p-phenylenediamine and aniline using (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ as an oxidant in the presence of surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. The PAN/PAPPD copolymers were characterised in terms of X-ray diffraction diagrams, Fourier transform infrared and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The effect of a monomer molar ratio, the content of the surfactant, the concentration of the oxidising agent and the temperature on the yield and the intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer were investigated. In this system, the apparent value of the energy of activation (E_a) was calculated to be -16.1 kJ/mol from 5 to 30°C. The conductivity of the copolymer obtained in the miniemulsion was higher than that in the solution.