Electrically conducting polyaniline and polyaniline/polycarbonate composite films: Preparation, characterization and electrical conductivity measurements

Polyaniline (PAN) films and composites of polyaniline with poly bisphenol A carbonate (PC) have been prepared electrochemically. The electrical conductivity measured from room temperature down to 77 K is larger in air than in vacuum and obeys a 1D variable range hopping (VRH) mechanism. From DTA analysis of the composite him, an extra peak at 210 degrees C apart from the usual peaks of PC and PAN has been identified. It is believed to be the result of a chemical interaction between PAN and PC, that is further confirmed from the shift in the carbonyl peak in the FTIR spectra of the composite films. From XPS studies and electrical conductivity measurements of different films it seems that it is the proportion of ionic chlorine rather than covalent chlorine to nitrogen that is more important in determining the conductivity. SEM pictures clearly indicate the formation of a fibrilar network in the composite film, especially inside the craters seen on the surface