Formation of transparent conducting films based on core-shell latices: Influence of the polypyrrole shell thickness

Transparent conducting latex films have been prepared from core-shell latic es. The latex particles have a poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) core of abou t 700 nm and a very thin polypyrrole (PPy) shell. We have studied the film formation of latices with 1, 2, and 4 wt % PPy and compared this with the f ilm formation of the pure PBMA latex. The film formation process was studie d by transparency measurements, atomic force microscopy surface flattening, and transmission electron microscopy on ultrathin sections of films after various annealing times at 120 degreesC. It is demonstrated that highly tra nsparent (>90%) and antistatic films can be produced using these latices. T he presence of a polypyrrole shell around the PBMA latex particle seriously hinders the deformation of the particles. The amount of polypyrrole, and t hus the shell thickness, is the determining factor for the speed of film fo rmation. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.