Synthesis and characterization of hollow polyaniline microtubes and microbelts with nanostructured walls in sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solutions

Abstract

AbstractDoped polyaniline in its emeraldine salt form (PANI‐ES) were successfully prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization using various concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micellar solutions. Structural analysis using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphologies of fabricated PANI‐ES contain hollow tube‐like and belt‐like structures with thickness in the range of 100–200 nm, diameters in the range of 1–5 μm, and lengths up to several tens and hundreds of micrometers. The changes of morphology from particle‐like into microtube‐like or microbelt‐like structure with nanostructured walls are strongly dependent on the concentration of SDS. The conductivities of fabricated PANI‐ES with 0.1 M SDS content at room temperature are 80% higher than those of PANI‐ES without SDS, perhaps because SDS may serve as a dopant or the formation of one‐dimensional structure to improve the conductivity of PANI‐ES. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers