GROWTH-MECHANISM OF TRANSPARENT AND CONDUCTING COMPOSITE FILMS OF POLYANILINE

Composites of polyaniline (PANI) with various polymeric matrices as substrates were synthesized by means of diffusion-oxidation of aniline swollen polymeric matrices with FeCl3 as oxidizer. The conductivity at room temperature, transmittance at 400-800 nm, stability in air, and morphology of PANI composite films depend on the polymerization time, concentration of FeCl3, and substrate used. A maximum conductivity at room temperature and the highest transmittance at 500-800 nm can be achieved of 10(-1) S/cm and 70-80%, respectively. The growth mechanism of PANI composite films has been discussed. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.