Preparation and properties of electrically conductive polyaniline-polystyrene composites by in-situ polymerization and blending

Electrically conductive polyaniline (PANI)-polystyrene (PS) composites were prepared by in-situ polymerization and blending. The polymerization was carried out by adding the oxidant and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) dissolved in xylene to the xylene solution comprising aniline and PS. The electrical conductivity of PANI-PS composites was improved with increasing amount of PANI and reached a high value of 0.1 S cm(-1) at content of 12 wt%. The PANI content in PANI-PS composites was calculated by means of elemental analysis and weight measurements. The PANI-PS composites were very soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform, xylene, and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The electrical conductivity of PANI, doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), and thermally treated at 180 degrees C for 3 h was more stable than that of conventional PANI-HCl complex. The structure and morphology of PANI-PS composites were investigated through the measurements of FT-IR and SEM (scanning electron micrograph).