OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC-PROPERTIES OF STRETCH-ORIENTED SOLUTION-CAST POLYANILINE FILMS

We have prepared and characterized polyaniline in the form of thin free-standing films and films formed by spin coating. The films are formed from solution with chemically prepared base polyaniline (emeraldine) which is dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The films, as prepared and doped with HCl, have conductivities in the range 60-70 S/cm. Optical reflection spectra reveal metallic-like films. Furthermore, we have been able to align the polyaniline (PANi) chains using uniaxial stress. Elongation ratios of up to 650% have been achieved so far. When doped with HCl these films yield conductivities of up to 350 S/cm and anisotropy sigma-parallel to/sigma-perpendicular to of up to 24. Initial polarized reflection spectra reveal optical anisotropy.