Conductive Polyaniline/Poly (Epichlorohydrin-co-Ethylene Oxide) Blends Prepared in Solution

Blends of poly (epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) rubber (Zeon Hydrin ^® C2000L) and polyaniline doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (PAni-DBSA), containing different weight fractions of PAni were cast from solution. Solubility parameters for both PAni-DBSA and Hydrin ^® were calculated and found to be comparable, favouring some degree of miscibility. Conductive transparent films were formed by casting onto PTFE substrates. Conductivities of cast films were found to be in the region of 10 ⁻⁷ S.cm ⁻¹ for 1% wt PAni-DBSA. Electrical conductivities increased as the wt % of PAni-DBSA was increased, showing a percolation threshold as low as 1% wt with highest conductivity achieved at 50%. Decomposition steps of conductive blends were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal stability of the blends was influenced by the ratio of PAni-DBSA to Hydrin ^® . The effect of composition on the glass transition in the blends was determined using thermomechanical analysis (TMA).