Charge dynamics in conducting polyaniline–metal oxalate composites

Abstract. Polyaniline (Pani) and its metal oxalate composites ( ~ 10 wt.%) of trivalent metal ions of Cr, Fe, Mn, Co and Al were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization technique with potassium perdisul-phate oxidant in aqueous sulphuric acid medium. These mat rials were characterized by UV–VIS and EPR spectral techniques. Their d.c. electrical conductivities at room temperature and also as a function of temperature (307–453 K) were measured by four-probe technique. Presence of radical cation/polaron transition was indicated by UV–VIS absorption peak and EPR signals. Further, a close correlation existed between the conductivities and EPR parameters such as line width and peak ratio, which demonstrated that both mobile and fixed spins are involved in these composites. The dependence of conductivity on temperature, when analysed graphically by VRH, GB and TC mechanisms, pointed out that VRH is the predominant charge transport mechanism in these materials. Keywords. Polyaniline; metal oxalate composites; charge tr nsport; mobile and fixed spins; VRH condu