Characterization of low dielectric constant polyaniline thin film synthesized by ac plasma polymerization technique

Polyaniline thin films were prepared by ac plasma polymerization technique. Capacitance, dielectric loss, dielectric constant and ac conductivity of these films were investigated in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range from 300 to 373 K. Capacitance and dielectric loss decreased with frequency and increased with temperature. This type of behaviour was found to be in good agreement with an existing model. The ac conductivity sigma(omega) was found to vary as omega(s) with the index s less than or equal to 1. Annealing of polyaniline thin films in high vacuum at 373 K for 1 h was found to reduce the dielectric loss. FTIR studies reveal that the aromatic ring is retained in the polyaniline thin films, which enhances the thermal stability of the polymer films.