IONIC INTERACTIONS IN POLYACRYLONITRILE POLYPYRROLE CONDUCTING POLYMER COMPOSITE/

A conducting polymer composite was prepared by the postpolymerization of pyrrole in a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix film. To enhance the el ectrostatic interaction between the two phases, a small amount of a su lfonate (SO3-) or a carboxylate (COO-) group was incorporated into the PAN structure. The presence of electrostatic interaction between the conducting polypyrrole and the anion-containing PAN copolymer was eluc idated by examination of the morphology and the electrical properties of the composite. The aromatic sulfonate-containing matrix provided th e composite with the best results in the electrical conductivity, the environmental stability of conductivity, and the morphological propert y. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.