Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/partially phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol) nanoparticles

The polyaniline/partially phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol)(PANI/P-PVA) nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical oxidative dispersion polymerization of aniline monomer in 0.5 mol/L HCl aqueous media with the partially phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (P-PVA) as the stabilizer and co-dopant. The PANI/P-PVA nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical conductivity measurements and re-dispersion stability testing. All the results were compared with the properties of the conventional polyaniline in the emeraldine salt form (PANI ES). It was found that the feeding ratio of P-PVA obviously affected the morphology, re-dispersion stability and electrical conductivity of the PANI/P-PVA nanoparticles. When the feeding ratio of P-PVA ranged from 40 wt% to 50 wt%, the PANI/P-PVA nanoparticles showed spherical shape with good uniformity, significant re-dispersion stability in aqueous media and good electrical conductivity.