Synthesis and characterization of poly(o-anisidine) doped with polymeric acids

Conducting poly(o-anisidine) doped with polymeric acids [viz, poly(styrene sulphonic acid) (PSSA), poly(vinyl sulphonic acid) (PVSA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)] was synthesized by in-situ chemical polymerization method using ammonium persulphate as an oxidizing agent. This is a single-step polymerization process for the direct synthesis of emeraldine salt phase of the polymer. The polymers were characterized by using UV-Vis., FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and conductivity measurements. Formation of mixed phases of polymer together with conducting emeraldine salt phase are confirmed by spectroscopic techniques. Thermal analysis shows that PAA doped poly(o-anisidine) undergoes three stage decomposition pattern similar to unsubstituted polyaniline. While, in PSSA and PVSA, doped sample splitting up of the second weight loss stage is observed leading to a four-step decomposition pattern. Room temperature conductivity measurements show less conductivity in poly(o-anisidine) than in polyaniline, due to the cumulative steric as well as electronic effects of the bulky methoxy substituent present at ortho position on the benzene ring. Increase in conductivity with increase in temperature is observed by high temperature conductivity measurements, showing thermally activated behavior."."