Thermal, spectroscopic and electrical transport properties of processable poly(aniline-co-alkylaniline) copolymers

497-504Aniline has been copolymerized in the presence of substituted anilines as comonomers to prepare conducting copolymers of poly(aniline-co-alkylaniline) type, via the chemical oxidative polymerization route. Their thermal stabilities and conductivities are slightly less than pure polyaniline but processabilities have been improved significantly. These copolymers exhibit improved solubility in organic solvents like 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulpohxide (DMSO), and dimethyl formamide (DMF). Conduction mechanism has been found to be 3-D VRH in case of pure HCl-doped polyaniline and 1-D VRH for copolymers. Coating of these polymers on insulating surfaces can be used for ESD protection and corrosion prevention of iron and mild steel under hostile conditions