Synthesis and characterization of a conductive polyaniline/clay hybrid system

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/montm orillonite hybrid polymer. Montmorillonite is a natural clay mineral. By an intercalative polymerization reaction the hybrid is synthesized. In our st udy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra were examined together w ith controls (PANI and clay) with the EPR signals from all the PANI/clay sa mples showing very high spin density (10(19) spins/g polymer). PANI/clay sa mples show g-values higher than that of pure PANI control. Dc conductivity was measured by a four-point probe method and it was found not to be a line ar function of PANI content, but the values are consistent with a percolati on threshold.