Nanoscale conducting cylinders based on self-organization of hydrogen-bonded polyaniline supramolecules

Comb-shaped or hairy rodlike supramolecules can be obtained by hydrogen bonding rigid rod polymers and amphiphilic oligomers. Here we introduce a concept to achieve electrically conducting acid doped PANI to allow cylindrical self-organization. PANI is doped with camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) where 4-hexylresorcinol (Hres) is hydrogen bonded to form supramolecules, which further undergo self-organization. The structure formation of PANI(CSA)(0.5)(Hres)(y) complexes is discussed on the basis of small and wide-angle X-ray scattering and electrical conductivity. Highly ordered hexagonal cylindrical structures were observed with a distance between the cylinders around 35 Angstrom. Electrical conductivity increases 2 orders of magnitude upon formation of cylindrical structures, potentially due to confinement of PANI chains within the cylinders. The method would then allow an easy preparation of nanoscale organic conducting wires, just by mixing the components together.