Preparation of conductive polyaniline-sulfonated EPDM ionomer composites from in situ emulsion polymerization and study of their properties

The composites of polyaniline (PAn) and zinc sulfonated ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) ionomer were made by polymerization of aniline in the presence of the ionomer by using a direct, one-step in situ emulsion polymerization technique. The ionomers were prepared by sulfonation of EPDM rubber with acetyl sulfate in petroleum ether, followed by neutralization with zinc acetate solution. The ionomers with sulfonate contents of 10, 24, and 42 mmol SO3H/100 g were used for preparation of PAn/ionomer composites. The in situ polymerization of aniline was carried out in an emulsion comprising water and xylene containing the ionomer in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, acting as both a surfactant and a dopant for PAn. The composite was characterized by IR and WAXD. The composite obtained can be processed by melt method. The conductivity of the composite with lower sulfonate content was higher than that with higher sulfonate content. Conductivity of the composites exhibits a percolation threshold at about 13 wt % PAn. When the sulfonated content is 10 or 24 mmol SO3H/100 g and PAn content is 4-10 wt %, the composites behave as a thermoplastic elastomers with high ultimate elongation and low permanent set. The conductivity of the composite after secondary doping with m-cresol is higher than the composite before secondary doping by about one order. Addition of zinc stearate as an ionic plasticizer lowers both the conductivity and the mechanical strength of the composites. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.