Preparation and characterization of conducting PMMA-PANI films

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-polyanilin (PANI) conducting films were pr epared by the diffusion-oxidation method. Infrared and electronic spectra s how new bands which confirm the interaction between PMMA-PANI and the metal cation. The microstructure of the prepared films has been investigated by an optical microscope. The results indicate that the oxidation process chan ged the shape and the color of the gel, which reflects the fact that the me tal cation diffused through the polymer matrix. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of the prepared films was studied. The resul ts indicate that the oxidation of PMMA-PANI films by FeCl3 leads to reducti on in the resistivity of the films from 10(13) to 10(3) Omega cm (i.e,, fro m insulator to semiconductor). The activation energy and the mechanism of t he conduction were also discussed.