Monomer effect on stability, electrical conductivity and combination of aniline–indole copolymer synthesized with H5IO6

Abstract Chemical copolymerization of aniline and indole was investigated in acetonitrile solutions that contain periodic acid (H5IO6), tetrafluoroboric acid (HBF4), and different amounts of aniline and indole. Studies show that the chemical oxidative polymerizations of aniline, indole, and various amounts of aniline–indole mixtures occur when periodic acid is used as an oxidative agent in the presence of HBF4. These copolymers were characterized with TGA/DTG, UV–vis, FTIR techniques, dc and ac conducting measurements, and elemental analysis. It was observed that copolymer colloids of different compositions were formed depending on the concentration of aniline and indole used. The properties, combinations and stabilities of the copolymers were strongly affected by the monomer concentrations used.