Chemical synthesis of processable conducting polyaniline derivative with free amine functional groups

Abstract

Processable conducting polyaniline derivative with free amine functional groups was successfully synthesized from the monomer o-phenylenediamine in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium using ammonium persulfate as an oxidative initiator. The synthesized poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) in critical condition was found to be completely soluble in common organic solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethyl formamide etc. From the intrinsic viscosity measurement, the optimum condition for the polymerization was established. The polymer was characterized by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (<TEX>$^1HNMR$</TEX>) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses. The weight average molecular weights of the synthesized polymers were determined by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. From the spectroscopic analysis the structure was found to resemble that of polyaniline derivative with free amine functional groups attached to ortho/meta position in the phenyl ring. However, very little ladder unit was also present with in the polymer chain. The moderate thermal stability of the synthesized polymer could be found from the TGA analysis. The average DC conductivity of <TEX>$2.8{\times}10^{-4}S/cm$</TEX> was observed for the synthesized polymer pellet after doping with hydrochloric acid.