Molecularly dispersed polymer composites of charge-transfer materials: morphology and physical properties

The dispersed type of composites of two conducting charge-transfer materials {phenothiazine-iodine (in 2:3 molar ratio) and benzidine-iodine (in 1:1 molar ratio)} in insulating polymer, polystyrene have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, XRD and for their microstructure, electrical properties (d.c. as well a.c.) and mechanical properties. A correlation between the morphology and physical properties has been made on the basis of data obtained. The method leads to an alternative route for the preparation of processable conducting polymers with improved mechanical properties in which the conductivities could be controlled by the loading of insulating polymers with conducting charge-transfer materials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.