POLYANILINE POLYPROPYLENE FILM COMPOSITES WITH HIGH ELECTRIC-CONDUCTIVITY AND GOOD MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES/

Polyaniline/polypropylene composites were prepared by oxidative polyme rization of aniline in biaxially stretched polypropylene microporous f ilms with ammonium persulfate as the oxidant. A continuous permeation/ diffusion polymerization process was used in order to incorporate more polyaniline in the composite. The influence of reaction time and temp erature and the concentration of monomer and oxidant aqueous solutions on the electric conductivity of the composites was investigated. The composites may exhibit a loose particulate surface morphology and a co mpact surface with a ring-shaped structure. The content and distributi on of polyaniline in the composite and, hence, its electric conductivi ty and surface properties can be controlled over a wide range. Composi tes with the combination of high electric conductivity and good mechan ical properties can be obtained under proper conditions. The composite films were flexible and strong enough and have electric conductivity as high as 5-6 S/cm. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.