Synthesis and properties of polyaniline/sodium and zinc ionomer composites

Polymerization of aniline was carried out with stable poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate-sodium acrylate) [P(MMA-BA-AANa)] and poly(methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate-zinc acrylate) CP(MMA-BA-(AA)(2)Zn)] ionomer emulsions to improve the processability of polyaniline (PANI). The results indicated that the two ionomer emulsions not only improved the tensile strength of PANI but also maintained the conductivity of PANI at room temperature. Suitable polymerization conditions had been established for the synthesis of PANI/P(MMA-BA-AANa) and PANI/P(MMA-BA(AA)(2)Zn) composites. The obtained PANI composites had the conductivity of more than 10 Scm(-1) with tensile strength of more than 7.0 MPa at room temperature. The threshold values were proved to be 19w/w% and 16w/w% for PANI/P(MMA-BA-AANa) and PANI/P(MMA-BA-(AA)(2)Zn) composites, respectively.