Effect of dopant ions on thermal stability of conducting poly(o-phenitidine)

The thermal degradation/stability of poly(o-phenitidine) doped with differe nt sulfonic acids was investigated with the help of thermogravimetric analy sis coupled with mass spectrometer. Thermal decomposition behaviour was fou nd to depend on the nature of dopant ion and the thermal stability was in t he order of DBSA > CSA > PTSA. The dopant ion was found to dissociate prior to the main chain scission. These findings could be explained on the basis of strong coupling/complexation between the conducting polymer and the dop ant as well as the stability of the individual dopant species. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.