In-situ polymerized polyaniline films 3. Film formation

Polyaniline films were produced on glass surface immersed in the reaction mixture during the oxidative polymerization of aniline. Glass supports placed in the reaction mixture at the start of the oxidation were gradually removed during the reaction. The thickness of polyaniline films produced on glass, assessed by optical absorption, was followed as a function of reaction time. The progress of polymerization was monitored by temperature changes. In another experiment, glass supports were successively inserted into the polymerization mixture. The formation of polyaniline films on glass, which had been already pre-coated with polyaniline, was also investigated. The proposed model of film formation is based on the concept of the primary and secondary nucleation. Oligoaniline cation radicals adsorbed on the glass surface nucleate the primary growth of polyaniline film, the secondary nucleation occurs on the produced polyaniline layer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.