An elastomeric conductor based on polyaniline prepared by mechanical mixing

In this work we describe the conditions of preparation and the electrical, mechanical, thermal and morphological characteristics of a conductive blend prepared by combining the elastomer poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene-mo nomer) and polyaniline doped with p-toluene sulfonic acid. Polymer mixtures were prepared in a mixer chamber (cam rotors) coupled to a rheometer. A hi gher mixing temperature improves the homogeneity of the mixtures, as seen b y an increase in conductivity and in crosslinking efficiency. In spite of t he good homogeneity, the mixtures are imiscible. Therefore, the formation o f bonds between the high molar mass chains of polyaniline and the oligomers explain the increase of the conductivity with an increase in polyaniline c ontent. The modulus values also increase by adding polyaniline to the rubbe r suggesting a reinforcement effect. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.