Increase In Degree Of Polymerization Research Articles

Mussel-inspired poly-norepinephrine coatings as “slippy-sticky interlayer” for fabricating high-energy insensitive energetic composites

Inspired by the super-adhesive properties in marine mussel, a desensitized energetic powder constituted of a slippy-sticky polynorepinephrine interlayer and CL-20 microcore is reported. The slow polymerization process enables the extremely smooth and multifunctional thin-coating formed onto the CL-20 surface. Based on the designed composites, the calculated electronic energy values of all 15 optimized structures reveals a spontaneous thermodynamic process and a stronger bonding strength with the increase of polymerization degree. The H50values of NE/CL-20 structure are calculated and show a significant increase for new composite, produced by the bonding of norepinephrine with CL-20, versus pure CL-20. The subsequent experimental results demonstrate that the slippy CL-20@polynorepinephrine structure exhibits a high drop height (H50, 35.5 cm) and a low explosion probability (60 %) than that of pure CL-20, even exhibits a considerable increase and decreases by 13.3 cm and 12 % in turn versus CL-20@polydopamine under the identical experimental conditions. The sensitive simulation results indicate that the shorter NN bond length and lower area percent in electrostatic potential of samples are positively correlated with the decreasing of impact sensitivity. Note that the ultrasmooth bionic interlayer gives the super-adhesive properties of energetic powder, greatly improves the coating degree of 2D material, thereby shows a lower sensitivity and a high detonation heat for the constructed double-coating composites (CL-20@PNE@GO). To sum up, this study will provide an innovative route to construct a high-safety powder based on a bionic sticky interlayer strategy.

Shock Hugoniot Calculations of Newly Designed Thermoplastic Elastomers and Comparison with Classical Binder Estane.

Our purpose is to design excellent binder candidates used in polymer-bonded explosives (PBX) according to the calculated shock of Hugoniot. Here, we mainly examined the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) binders commonly used in PBX formulations. Equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and mixing rule methods were used to calculate the shock Hugoniot values of 180 newly designed TPEs. We focused on the influence of the polymerization degree, contents, and types of soft and hard segments composed of TPEs on the shock Hugoniot and compared them with the classic PBX binder, Estane. The results show that the hard segment has an effect on the Hugoniot curve, which gradually diminishes as the degree of polymerization increases. The underlying physical mechanism can be attributed to the presence of a large number of hydrogen bonds in hard segment domains. The shock Hugoniot of TPEs also depends on the type of soft segments. The volume compression rate of TPEs decreases with increasing content of hard segments under a given shock. By comparing with Estane, a TPE binder commonly used in PBX, we ultimately chose several new TPEs with the potential to serve as PBX binders in terms of shock performance.

Wetting behavior during impacting bituminous coal surface for dust suppression droplets of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether.

The wetting behavior of droplets during impacting coal surface widely exists in the dust control process. Understanding the effect of surfactants on the diffusion of water droplets on coal surface is critical. To study the effect of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) on the dynamic wetting behavior of droplets on bituminous coal surface, a high-speed camera is used to record the impact process of ultrapure water droplets and three different molecular weight AEO solution droplets. A dynamic evaluation index, dimensionless spreading coefficient ([Formula: see text]), is used to evaluate the dynamic wetting process. The research results show that maximum dimensionless spreading coefficient ([Formula: see text]) of AEO-3, AEO-6, and AEO-9 droplets is greater than that of ultrapure water droplets. With the increase of impact velocity, the [Formula: see text] increases, but the required time decreases. Moderately increasing the impact velocity is conducive to promoting the spreading of droplets on the coal surface. Below the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the concentration of AEO droplets is positively correlated with the [Formula: see text] and the required time. When the polymerization degree increases, the Reynolds number ([Formula: see text]) and Weber number ([Formula: see text]) of droplets decrease, and the [Formula: see text] decreases. AEO can effectively enhance the spreading of droplets on the coal surface, but the increase in polymerization degree can inhibit this process. Viscous force hinders droplet spreading during droplet interaction with the coal surface, and surface tension promotes droplet retraction. Under the experimental conditions of this paper ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), there is a power exponential relationship between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].

Effects of alkali metal catalysts on the melt fluidity of polycarbonates with different degrees of polymerization

AbstractThe melt fluidity of polycarbonate (PC) significantly influences the processing, while the melt viscosity depends on the molecular structure. Specifically, the melt viscosity increases sharply with the increase of polymerization degree. However, the influence mechanism of alkali metal catalysts on the fluidity by affecting the molecular structure remains unclear. Herein, high and low concentrations of NaOH catalysts were used to synthesize PC with different polycondensation degrees. The effect of NaOH catalyst content on the molecular structure and thus melt fluidity of PC were systematically characterized and discussed employing NMR spectroscopy, absolute and relative molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, melt flow index, and thermal analysis. The results show that a random branched structure of the PC molecular chain caused by excess NaOH improves the melt flowability. However, the residual NaOH promotes the degradation of carbonate bonds during thermal processing, resulting in poor PC stability. Based on the above discussion, empirical fitting equations are proposed to describe the relationship between molecular structure and flow properties, which provides a new way to judge PC performance.

Micro-Raman spectroscopy for a comprehensive understanding of the structural evolution of Basaltic-Andesite and Trachybasalt multiphase systems

The liquid viscosity of multiphase systems is usually retrieved by the use of combined chemical analysis and empirical chemistry-based models. Here we present an alternative approach to study the glassy pools in highly crystallized basaltic-andesite and trachybasalt samples obtained from isothermal crystallization experiment at different shear rates. Polarized micro-Raman spectra were collected at room temperature on the glassy portions. Results of residual glass structures from the high frequency region of Raman spectra show an increasing polymerization degree. The fragility, derived from the evolution of the boson peak, decreases according to the experimental time evolution. Also, the presence of nanolites in residual glasses adds a further degree of complexity that needs to be considered in the frame of melts polymerization and rheological behavior of volcanic systems. On this concern, the MYEGA formalism approach allows to retrieve the residual melt viscosity of the partly crystallized samples, avoiding its direct measurement and reducing the errors induced when general viscosity models, based only on chemical data, are used. We validated our prediction by determining the low-temperature viscosity data converting, through known shift factors, the thermograms obtained by differential scanning calorimetry. This study provides a further route in characterizing multiphase systems, also including the effect of nanosized crystals, and offers the possibility of increasing the spatial resolution through microscopy and ridding viscosity parametrizations of invasive and time-consuming operations.

Theoretical and experimental investigation of physicochemical properties and combustion performance of PODE/methanol blends

In this study, oxygenated fuels methanol and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE) were selected as alternative energy for compression ignition engines. The physicochemical properties of PODE and methanol were calculated by group contribution method and corresponding state principle, and the contact angle test was used to analyze the mutual solubility of PODE/methanol blends. Moreover, the oxidation characteristics of PODE/methanol blends were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, and then in-cylinder combustion and emission characteristics of the blends with various methanol ratios were investigated on a common-rail diesel engine. Results showed that with the increase of methanol ratio, the volatility and evaporation of PODE/methanol blends increased obviously. The surface tension of PODE increased with the increase of polymerization degree, and was greater than that of methanol, while the viscosity and density of PODE decreased with the increase of temperature. There was an obvious contact angle between the methanol and diesel surfaces at stable condition, which was about 31.5°, and methanol was easily soluble in PODE and insoluble in diesel fuel. With the increase of methanol ratio, the peak values of combustion pressure and heat release rate (HRR) decreased at low load, and both the ignition delay and combustion duration were prolonged. However, at high load, the peak values of combustion pressure and HRR increased with the increase of methanol ratio, and the combustion duration was shortened. With the addition of methanol, both the NOx and soot emissions of the blends decreased, while CO and HC emissions increased, especially at low load. Compared with pure PODE (P100M0), the NOx emissions of the blends with 30 % methanol ratio (P70M30) were reduced by 20.7 % and 16.1 % respectively at 25 % and 75 % loads, and the soot emissions were reduced by 90.3 % and 43.7 % respectively. Thus, the addition of methanol in PODE could alleviate the trade-off relationship between NOx and soot emissions to a certain extent.

Resin transfer in oil-water interface intensified by H2O2 and demulsifier for efficient water separation in tight oil

Tight oil is an important unconventional oil resource, but it is difficult to separate oil and water from produced liquid and make efficient use of it. Due to the stable structure of oil–water interface caused by resin, it is difficult to achieve demulsification. In this work, a series of polyether ester demulsifierswith different degree of polymerization were designed by esterification and polymerization. In addition, hydrogen peroxide was used to regulate the structure of resin to enhance the transmission of polyether ester, and the replacement of resin was strengthened through the structural design of polyether ester. The results showed that the molecular weight and dipole moment of resin oxidized by hydrogen peroxide decreased, which was beneficial to the transfer of demulsifier. With the increase of polymerization degree, the oil solubility and surface activity of polyether ester were improved, and the replacement ability of resin was strengthened·H2O2 and demulsifier were used to synergistically promote demulsification, the dehydration rate could be further increased to 99.2%, and the water content in tight oil could be reduced to 0.56%.

Micromechanism of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide molecule agglomeration morphology and its impact on the stability of crude oil−water interfacial film

Based on the background of oilfield chemical flooding produced liquid treatment projects, to achieve new insight into the micromechanism of the impact of polymer molecules applied to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology on the crude oil−water interface behavior, different “crude oil/HPAM/produced water” interface simulation systems were constructed by regulating the polymerization degree and hydrolysis degree of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and combining the composition and physical properties of oil and water phases. The simulated results showed that all simulation systems have a stable layer order and clear crude oil−water interface after dynamic relaxation equilibrium. HPAM molecules were agglomerated in different forms at the crude oil−water interface depending on the inorganic cations in the water phase and their own degree of polymerization and hydrolysis, and the order of inorganic cations aggravating the agglomeration was Ca2+>Na+>K+>Mg2+. The stability of the interfacial film was positively correlated with the gyration radius of the HPAM molecules. Unlike the continuous increase in the gyration radius of HPAM molecules with increasing polymerization degree, the effect of increasing hydrolysis degree on the stability of the crude oil−water interfacial film is concentrated in the range of 15–35%, the gyration radius of HPAM molecules no longer increases when the hydrolysis degree continues to increase, and the interfacial film stability no longer significantly changes.

29Si and 27Al MAS NMR assessment of the C-(A-) S–H nanomolecular structure of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) modified with pyrogenic oxides

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) that contains pyrogenic oxides (Pox) and has been heat-cured with microwave energy reaches as high as 420 MPa after 1 day. The influence of microwave curing on the strength gain is much more pronounced in UHPC than in normal concrete. 29Si and 27Al MAS NMR nanomolecular structure investigation of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) modified with nanoscale pozzolans (pyrogenic oxides) reveals significant differences from other concrete types that may explain such high early strength. There is an increase in polymerization degree of C-(A) S–H (C–S–H containing Al) phase of the UHPC modified with pyrogenic oxides, followed by a trend of substitution of silicon atoms on the Q₃ sites of C–S–H (calcium-silicate-hydrates) through aluminum atoms. The mean chain length (MCL) and degree of connectivity (Dc) are the highest for pyrogenic oxides containing UHPC that have been cured with microwave energy. The increase of polymerization degree is more pronounced for alumina-based pyrogenic oxide containing UHPC.

Effects of acid diffusion and resist molecular size on line edge roughness for chemically amplified resists in EUV lithography: computational study

Stochastic simulations are performed to analyze the effects of acid diffusion and resist molecular size on pattern profiles for chemically amplified resists in EUV lithography. In the simulation, polymer chains are formed by random connection of monomer units. The acid diffusion and the acid reaction with polymers in the post exposure bake are introduced by the random-walk model. Simulation results show that the inhomogeneous acid generation and diffusion more largely affects the pattern roughness than polymer molecular size for both deprotection and cross-linking types of resists. At high doses, the line edge roughness (LER) increases with increasing polymerization degree of resist polymer. In such condition, the acid distribution becomes uniform and molecular size affects the LER. On the other hand, at low doses, the LER decreases with increasing polymerization degree. That is because the larger polymer molecule is less sensitive to inhomogeneous distribution of acid accompanying low doses.

Computational Sub-10 nm Plasmonic Nanogap Patterns by Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

Plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) arrays with narrow gaps have been suggested as an effective light collection solution for plasmonic structures. For an effective low-cost bottom-up strategy, block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly with evaporative metal-deposition is mentioned as one of the best effective ways to produce Au NP arrays with narrow gaps. In this paper, BCP self-assembly for nanopost-template arrays and metal-deposition over the nanotemplate surface for positional arrangement of Au NPs are described using a self-consistent field theory (SCFT) and a level-set method, respectively. According to the of BCP self-assembly simulation results, both the diameter of the cylinder post and gap size become larger due to the increase of polymerization degree (N). However, these parameters become smaller in terms of the increase of the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter χ. For plasmonic phenomena about a top-down incident wavelength of 600-nm, according to a rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), although the electric field around a single spherical post becomes larger at smaller diameter, there is no top-down plasmonic phenomenon at a gap size of 10-nm between nanoposts.

Crystallization and Thermal Stability of the P-Doped Basaltic Glass Fibers

The present research focuses on the influence of phosphorus oxide additives on the structure and thermal properties of the basalt glasses, produced in the form of fibers, i.e. at very high quenching speed. Basaltic glass fibers with various P2O5 contents were produced in two stages. In the first stage, the bulk glasses were prepared by adding variable amounts of (NH4)4P2O7 to milled natural andesitic basalt in order to obtain samples containing 2, 4, and 6 wt % P2O5. In the second stage, the glass fibers were obtained using a laboratory-scale system. Basalt glass fibers were characterized by Raman spectroscopy to obtain information on the structure of the obtained fibers, and by DSC-TG and XRD analyses to determine the change in crystallization mechanism of basaltic fibers. The hydrostatic weighing was used for the determination of glasses density. An increase in the content of P2O5 to 6 wt % leads to a decrease in the density of glass fibers due to the polymerizing effect of phosphorus oxide. The obtained X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all samples are X-ray amorphous. The Raman results show that the decrease in the intensity of the line corresponding to vibrations of the structural units Q2 (about 920 cm–1) with respect to the line corresponding to Q3 (about 1125 cm–1) is related to an increase of P2O5 content. This also indicates the increase in polymerization degree of glass structure. DSC and XRD data also found out the change of phase transformations order with an increase of phosphorus oxide. The crystallization in natural and modified basalt glass fibers begins with spontaneous spinel-like phase formations that become nucleation sites for the precipitation of monoclinic pyroxene as a major phase. With an increase in the P2O5 content, there is a tendency to a decrease in the pyroxene at higher temperature, as a result of which, the hematite crystallizes at lower temperatures. That is associated with the activation of liquation processes, accompanied by the formation of amorphous phases with different viscosities with an increase in the concentration of P2O5. In conclusion, all the obtained data indicate the prospect of using the proposed approach to obtain basalt glass fibers with enhanced thermal and mechanical stability.

Palladium ion-imprinted polymers with PHEMA polymer brushes: Role of grafting polymerization degree in anti-interference

Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) exhibit great potential as the adsorbent for adsorption of palladium from the industrial wastewater. However, co-existence of complicated water matrixes can readily block the imprinting cavities and disturb the adsorption of target ions. Therefore, it is meaningful to endow the IIPs with an excellent anti-interference ability toward practical applications. In this work, the polymer 2-hydroxyethyl methacylate (PHEMA) polymer brushes with different polymerization degree were successfully grafted on the IIPs. The polymerization degrees of PHEMA brushes are 43, 49, 73, 122, and 294 for the IIP-1, IIP-2, IIP-3, IIP-4, and IIP-5, respectively. Batch experiments reveal that polymerization degree has an inconspicuous effect on the adsorption capacity of IIPs. And their adsorption capacities are in the range from 42 to 46 mg/g, which is much higher than most adsorbents documented in literature. The kinetic constant has increased from 0.021 to 0.042 g/(mg·min) with the increase of polymerization degree from 43 to 294, respectively. This result implies that the high-polymerization PHEMA brush can accelerate the adsorption of Pd. More importantly, the anti-interference ability of IIP-3 significantly outperforms the ungrafted IIPs; and corresponding anti-interference mechanism has been proposed. This work provides a fundamental insight into the inter-relation between polymerization degree of polymer brushes and its anti-interference ability, which may facilitate the IIPs-based technology for the adsorption and recovery of valuable metals from complex wastewater.

Synthesis and Properties of s-PBI/2OH-PBI Random Copolymer for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells

High temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT PEMFC), which has the advantages of high tolerance to fuel impurities and simplified system according to no humidification, is currently being studied extensively. The phosphoric acid (PA) with proton conductivity at high temperature (150℃) is used as an electrolyte in HT PEMFC. Therefore, the affinity between membrane material and phosphoric acid and membrane durability are very important. At present, membrane material for HT PEMFC is mainly used the polymer based on polybenzimidazole (PBI). However, the PBI has the problems such as low molecular weight, low PA doping level, PA leakage during operation, and membrane durability. According to some studies, sulfonic acid groups and hydroxyl groups have high affinity for phosphoric acid. Therefore, PBI-based polymer electrolyte prepared from each monomer showed improved doping level, proton conductivity and performance. In this study, we tried to fabricate electrolyte membrane for HT PEMFC with improved properties and cell performance by simultaneously introducing these two functional groups. For the synthesis of s-PBI/2OH-PBI random copolymer, monosodium salt of 2-sulphoterephthalic acid (STA), 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (2OH-TA) and 3,3'- diaminobenzidine were prepared with ratio of 1:0:1 (10:0), 0.5:0.5:1 (5:5), 0.4:0.6:1 (4:6). The condensation reaction was used for synthesis of copolymer. The polymer membranes were fabricated by direct casting method. The polymer membrane of the fabricated film type was placed in the humidity chamber at each hydrolysis condition. The degree of polymerization of s-PBI/2OH-PBI random copolymer was confirmed by measuring the torque of the polymer solution in real time. The characteristics of the prepared copolymer were analyzed by FT-IR and doping level. Finally, single cell performance according to monomer ratio and hydrolysis condition was evaluated by IV curve measurement. The IV curves of s-PBI/2OH-PBI random copolymer were affected by monomer ratio and hydrolysis condition. First, the IV curves showed better performance as the monomer ratio of 2OH-TA increased in hydrolysis conditions of 50℃ and RH 50%. Despite the lowest doping level in the 4:6 monomer ratio, the highest cell performance in 4:6 was attributed to the improvement of the mechanical properties with the increase of polymerization degree. On the other hand, the IV curve at 4: 6 monomer ratio showed the best performance in RH 80% and 70% phosphoric acid bath condition. This confirmed that the polyphosphoric acid was only partially hydrolyzed in the RH 50% condition. Figure 1

Theory of the Flower Micelle Formation of Amphiphilic Random and Periodic Copolymers in Solution.

The mixing Gibbs energy Δgm for the flower-micelle phase of amphiphilic random and periodic (including alternating) copolymers was formulated on the basis of the lattice model. The formulated Δgm predicts (1) the inverse proportionality of the aggregation number to the degree of polymerization of the copolymer, (2) the increase of the critical micelle concentration with decreasing the hydrophobe content, and (3) the crossover from the micellization to the liquid–liquid phase separation as the hydrophobe content increases. The transition from the uni-core flower micelle to the multi-core flower necklace as the degree of polymerization increases was also implicitly indicated by the theory. These theoretical results were compared with experimental results for amphiphilic random and alternating copolymers reported so far.

Interactions between Polyelectrolyte Gel Surfaces

Surfaces formed by charged polymeric species are highly abundant in both synthetic and biological systems, for which maintaining an optimum contact distance and a pressure balance is paramount. Here we investigate interactions between surfaces of two same-charged and highly swollen polyelectrolyte gels, using extensive molecular dynamic simulations and minimal analytical methods. The external-pressure responses of the gels and the polymer-free ionic solvent layer separating two surfaces are considered. Simulations confirmed that the surfaces are held apart by osmotic pressure resulting from excess charges diffusing out of the network. At a threshold pressure, the counterion-induced osmotic pressure in the gel interiors becomes nearly equal to that in solvent gap, and the gels begin to deform. At the threshold pressure, the distance between surfaces is equivalent to the electrostatic screening length imposed by excess charges. Both the solvent layer and pressure dependence are well described by an analytical model based on the Poisson–Boltzmann solution for low and moderate electrostatic strengths. Scaling descriptions for the threshold pressure and critical distance compare well with the simulations. The threshold pressure decreases with increasing polymerization degree of network chains, similar to sparsely grafted polyelectrolyte brushes. As the electrostatic coupling strength is increased, the deviations from the analytical model also increase due to condensed counterions. Our results are of great importance for systems where charged gels or gel-like structures interact in various solvents, including systems encapsulated by gels and microgels in confinement.

Molecular dynamics simulation for fluoropolymers applied in ε-CL-20-based explosive

Herein, in order to design the formulation of fluoropolymer bonded explosives, common fluoropolymers were selected and added to the high energy density compound hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-CL-20). Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on fluoropolymers (F2603, F2311, F2314, F2426, and PTFE) and fluoropolymers bonded ε-CL-20. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of fluoropolymers were calculated. Besides, the mechanical properties and physical compatibilities of ε-CL-20 based polymer bonded explosives were predicted. The calculated results show that the order of Tg of fluoropolymers is: PTFE > F2314 > F2311 > F2462 ≈ F2603 and Tg of F2603 increases as the degree of polymerization increases. The binding energy for fluoropolymers with ε-CL-20 is in the following order: ε-CL-20/F2462 > ε-CL-20/F2603 > ε-CL-20/F2314 > ε-CL-20/F2311. All fluoropolymers interact with ε-CL-20 mainly in vdW force. The order of tensile modulues is: ε-CL-20 > ε-CL-20/F2314 > ε-CL-20/F2311 > ε-CL-20/F2462 > ε-CL-20/F2603, the orders of Poisson’s ration (γ) and the quotient bulk modulus (K)/shear modulus (G) are opposite.

Timing of the treatment with oak chips: the case of Nero di Troia wine

The aim of the experiments was to deepen the knowledge of the effects of the time of addition of oak chips on quality of Nero di Troia wine. The oak chips were added before or after malolactic fermentation, and the analyses were performed after 12 months of aging. The treatment did not induce the expected increase in polymerization degree of anthocyanins and tannins because of the high tannins-to-anthocyanins ratio. No differences were found among control and treated wines in the color parameters. The contact with oak chips determined in all the treated wines the decrease in floral and fruity notes, the increase in the spicy and woody flavors, and the attenuation of vinous character. The Nero di Troia wines treated before malolactic fermentation showed softer oak and spicy characters, more fruity notes, and less ethereal character than the wines treated after malolactic fermentation.

Development of Poly−Cyclohexanone Resin Material for Coating Applications

In the present work, polymerization reactions of cyclohexanone were carried out in a high−pressure reactor. The effect of reaction parameters such as reaction time, temperature, and catalyst loading on hydroxyl value, iodine value, solubility, and average molecular weight of products was investigated. In the study, reaction time was varied from 10−17 hrs, reaction temperature was varied from 130−150 °C, catalyst concentration was varied from 20−40%. The result shows that the degree of polymerization and hydroxyl value of the products increases with the increase of reaction time, temperature and catalyst loading. As the degree of polymerization increases, the decrement in product solubility in a given solvent was observed. FTIR, GPC and TGA analysis was done for the developed products. Based on the present study, it is concluded that the in−house developed resin from cyclohexanone can be used for coating applications.

CSA-doped PANI semiconductor nanofilms: synthesis and characterization

Camphorsulfonic acid doped polyaniline (PANI-CSA) prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization is dip coated on glass plates with three different PANI:CSA weight ratios (1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2). Films of thickness being <100 nm are termed as nanofilms. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of dopant and increase in degree of polymerization with increase in dopant level. X-ray diffraction studies revealed the amorphous nature of the films. Scanning electron microscopy showed very smooth morphology without any crack or pores. Hall-effect analysis showed that the increase in CSA weight ratio appreciably increases the conductivity of PANI-CSA films due to increase in carrier concentration and it also represents the semiconductivity (P-type) nature in all the films. UV–visible absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra revealed that high intense absorption and emission peaks occur for the PANI-CSA film with PANI:CSA weight ratio (1:2). This appreciable increase is due to increase in charge carriers. Photoluminescence study of PANI-CSA films excited using 300 nm shows high intense peaks at 361 and 494 nm and a weak peak at 410 nm which confirmed the semiconducting nature of the film.