Synthesis and characterization of a copolymer: Poly(aniline-co-fluoroaniline)

In the present article, we report the chemical synthesis and characterizati on of poly(aniline-co-fluoroaniline) [poly(An-FAn)]. The copolymerization o f aniline and 2-fluoroaniline was carried out by chemical method in acidic medium. The characterization of poly(aniline-co-fluoroaniline) was done usi ng FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron micrography (SEM), and a four-points-probe conductivity method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM ch aracterization reveal crystalline nature of doped copolymer compared to und oped copolymer. The observed decrease in the conductivity of the copolymer relative to polyaniline is attributed to the incorporation of the fluoro mo ieties into the polyaniline chain. The chemically synthesized copolymer sho ws good solubility in common organic solvents, and is, therefore, technolog ical useful. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.