Enhanced Interfacial Interaction and Electronic Properties of Novel Conducting Kenaf/Polyaniline Biofibers

Conducting kenaf/polyaniline (KF/PANI) biofibers were successfully prepared via in situ oxidative polymerization. It was demonstrated, for the first time, the possibility of imparting new electronic properties on KF by coating with acid-doped PANI. The morphological analysis revealed three different PANI morphologies on the KF, depending on the type of acid doping. Enhanced interaction was achieved between the fiber-PANI surfaces, mainly from the p - p interactions. The newly developed conducting biofibers achieved enhancement in DC conductivity up to fivefold compared to the unmodified KF. Mechanical test on the conducting biofibers revealed no significant loss in the tensile properties.