Conductivity and structure of melt-processed polyaniline binary and ternary blends

In the present study, conductive binary and ternary blends containing polya niline (PANI) were developed through melt blending. The binary blends' inve stigation focused on the morphology, in light of the components' interactio n, and the resulting electrical conductivity. Similar solubility parameters of a given doped PANI and a matrix polymer lend to dispersion of fine PANI particles within the matrix, and to formation of conducting paths at low P ANI contents. A plasticizer acting also as a compatibilizer improves the ma trix polymer/PANI interactions. In ternary blends consisting of PANI and tw o immiscible polymers, the PANI preferrentially locates in one of the compo nents, affecting the blend's morphology. This "concentrating" effect leads to relatively high electrical conductivity at a low PANI content. The elect rical conductivity of the studied ternary blends is almost il independent o f the components' sequence of addition into the hot melt mixing device, exh ibiting the selectivity of PANI towards one of the components. Copyright (C ) 2000 John Wiley & Sons.