PVC AS PHOTODONOR OF HCL FOR PROTONATION OF POLYANILINE

A novel photoinduced protonation of PANI(EB) from PVC as donor of HCl is proposed. The polymer-composite is a polyvinylchloride (PVC) blende d with the base form of polyaniline called emeraldine base (EB). The U V-induced protonation of the polymer chain is studied through its opti cal absorption. The protonation of EB occurs through HCl diffusion wit hin the polymer chains in the PANI(EB)/PVC composite. After UV-exposur e, the PANI(EB)/PVC-composite turns to green-color, which is typical o f the emeraldine salt (ES). Contrary to film prepared from THF, a nega tive coloration is obtained with blends prepared from N-methylpyrrolid inone (NMP). Origin could be a proton-trapping effect from solvent tra ces behaving as usual PVC additives. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.