Effect of dopant mixture on the conductivity and thermal stability of polyaniline/Nomex conductive fabric

Electrically conductive polyaniline (PANI)/[poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)] Nomex composite fabric was prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline doped by a mixture of hydrochloride (HCl) and various sulfonic acids such as benzenesulfonic acid (BSA), sulfosalicylic acid (SSA), and dodecylbenesulfonic acid (DBSA); their effect on conductivity and physical properties were then investigated. PANI/ Nomex composite fabrics doped by a mixture of protonic acids exhibited higher conductivity than those doped by other single dopants such as camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), p-toluenesulfonic acid (TSA), BSA, SSA, and HCl. The conductivity of PANI/Nomex fabrics especially doped by a mixture of HCl and DBSA was evenly maintained up to 100degreesC without depression of mechanical properties of Nomex. Their conductivity was also maintained under extension of the composite fabric. In addition, electrical conductivity of PANI/Nomex fabrics was highly increased by ultrasonic treatment, which facilitated better diffusion and adsorption of aniline by cavitation and vibration. (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Inc.