EMULSION POLYMERIZATION OF ANILINE

High quality polyaniline, PANI, has been made by polymerization of ani line using a direct one-step emulsion polymerization technique. The po lymerization is carried out in an emulsion comprising water and a non- polar or weakly polar organic solvent in the presence of the functiona lized protonic acid dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBSA). We found tha t using the emulsion polymerization technique, conducting PANI-DBSA co mplexes can be produced that exhibit high molecular weight, high condu ctivity and high solubility in organic solvents in the electrically co nducting state. We found, furthermore, that using this technique, in-s itu production of PANI-DBSA fibrils can be produced that exhibit a hig h aspect ratio and an exceptional degree of crystalline order and orie ntation.