Effect of sterilization techniques on the conductivity of polyaniline and polypyrrole

Abstract

The impact of various sterilization methods on the conductivity of polyaniline and polypyrrole has been tested. The sterilization methods included β- and γ-irradiation, UV-light irradiation, immersion in aqueous ethanol, and moist and dry heat treatment. Except for the dry heat, all methods can be used for the sterilization of conducting polymers without any significant reduction in their conductivity. Any changes in the conductivity associated with the modified molecular structure due to polymer deprotonation are discussed with the help of FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology of conducting polymers has not been affected by the sterilization.