Preparation and characterization of novel conducting polyaniline-perlite composites

The development of composites displaying electrical conductivity has attracted significant research attention over the last decade due to the possibility of new applications. For the first time, we describe the preparation of composites in which perlite particles have been combined with the well-known conducting polyaniline (PAni). Such composites have been prepared by the in situ deposition of a thin coating of chemically synthesized polyaniline onto perlite particles (diameter < 250 lam). These composite materials have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and four-point probe conductivity measurements. In addition, the effects of reaction time, perlite particle size and type of protonic acid medium on the conductivities of the composites have been investigated. Their conductivities were also compared to those of mechanical blends of polyaniline and perlite. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.