Adsorption Behavior of Monomers and Formation of Conducting Polymers on Polyester Fibers

In situ adsorption of monomers on fibers plays a key role in fabricating highly conductive polyaniline (PANI)-based textiles by two-stage oxidation polymerization. Experiments were conducted in aniline monomer and hydrochloric acid solution with the variables such as contact time, initial concentration, and temperature, which can enhance the equilibrium adsorption capacity to aniline of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers. Equilibrium data were fit well by a Henry partition-type isotherm equation. It was found that the kinetics of the adsorption of aniline onto PET fibers at different operating conditions was best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The rate parameters of the intraparticle diffusion model for adsorption were also evaluated and compared to identify the adsorption mechanisms. The monomer exhaustion increased with increasing the temperature. The value of electrical surface resistance of conductive textiles about 3.2 k Omega was obtained when the padder squeeze step was introduced, and the molar ratio of 0.6 between the oxidant concentration and the exhausted concentration of monomers at the adsorption equilibrium was applied. Scanning electron micrographs of PANI/PET composite surfaces were observed, conforming that smooth films were produced by surface polymerization of aniline monomers adsorbed previously on fibers. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 662-669, 2011