POLYANILINE DISPERSIONS .5. POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) AND POLY(N-VINYLPYRROLIDONE) AS STERIC STABILIZERS

When the oxidative polymerization of aniline proceeds in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), sterically-stabili zed polyaniline dispersions are obtained. The particles have an averag e diameter of about 300-800 run as determined by dynamic light scatter ing. The yield of polyaniline in dispersion form often decreased if th e reaction mixture was stirred during polymerization and dispersions w ere then accompanied by a macroscopic precipitate. Poly(N-vinylpyrroli done) is a more efficient stabilizer compared to poly(vinyl alcohol). Microstructured composites, which contain up to similar to 70 wt % of electrically-conducting polyaniline dispersed in an insulating matrix, can be prepared from these dispersions.