THE STRUCTURE AND ELECTRIC-CONDUCTIVITY OF HIGHLY DISPERSE IN-SITU POLYMER-CUS COMPOSITIONS

The structures of highly disperse polymeric compositions containing Cu S (including the nanocompositions) obtained in situ on the basis of wa ter-swelling PVA matrices, PVA-PAA and PVA-PEI blends, and PA-6 were s tudied. The composition structures (characterized by a particle size o f the disperse phase and the character of its distribution in the bind er matrix) are determined by a number of thermodynamic and kinetic fac tors. The most important of these are the energy of the intermolecular interaction (adhesion energy) and the free surface energy at the poly mer-particle phase interface, the disjoining pressure, and the diffusi on rates of the reacting ions Cu2+ and S2- in the polymer matrix. Stud y of the conductivity of the polymer-CuS compositions allow us to dete rmine the critical concentration (percolation threshold) of the disper se component. At this concentration, the process of particle associati on is activated, which leads to the formation of developed current-car rying associates.