Highly Fluorescent Conducting Polymer Hybrid Materials Based on Polyaniline-Polyethylene Glycol-Arsenic Sulphide

Highly fluorescent binary and ternary hybrid materials based on polyaniline, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and arsenic sulphide have been prepared via oxidative chemical polymerization and characterized by FT-IR and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all the materials are thermally stable up to 250℃. The optical behaviour was investigated using UV-Vis. and fluorescence spectroscopy. Fluorescence spectra of polyaniline and its hybrids were found to be concentration dependent, and concentrations were optimized to achieve maximum intensity of emission. Aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) may be the possible reason for concentration dependent emission. Hybrids showed significantly enhanced fluorescence than polyaniline. The AC electrical conductivity was also measured and found to be better for hybrids than the polyaniline. In the PAni-PEG-As2S3 hybrid, the conductivity was found to be 9.57 × 10-1 S/cm at 100 KHz. This valuable improvement in luminescent property and conducting behaviour may be useful in various optoelectronic and electronic applications.

FERROFLUID CONTAINING SOLUBLE CONDUCTIVE POLYANILINE AND ITS FREESTANDING FILMS

Ferrofluid containing highly conductive polyaniline (PANI) was prepared, in which soluble PANI solutions dopedwith 10-camphorsulfonic acid (CSA) and dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) were used as the basic solution and Fe_3O_4nanoparticles (d = 10 nm) as the magnetic material. Moreover, the freestanding films of the resulting ferrofluid can beobtained by an evaporation method. The electrical and magnetic properties of the ferrofluid or its films can be adjustedthrough changing the content of PANI and Fe_3O_4. High saturated magnetization (≈ 30 emu/g) and high conductivity(≈ 250 S/cm) of the composite films can be achieved when the composite film contains 26.6 wt% of Fe_3O_4. In particular, itwas found that the composite films exhibit a super-paramagnetic behavior (Hc = 0) attributed to the size of Fe_3O_4 particles on the nanometer scale.

SYNTHESIS OF CONDUCTIVE POLYANILINE VIA OXIDATION BY MnO_2

A unique process of chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline using manganese dioxide (MnO2) as the oxidizing agent in an aqueous medium is described. The reaction between aniline and MnO2 follows a mechanism by which the organic monomer is oxidized while the metal oxide undergoes reductive dissolution. The effects of the amount of oxidizing agent and aniline, pH and temperature of the reactive system, type of acid on the yield and conductivity of polyaniline are discussed. The resulting polyaniline was characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectrometry. Polyaniline with a conductivity of 12.5 S/cm was obtained using 0.033 mol of aniline oxidized by 0.023 mol MnO2 in the presence of 100 mL of 2.7 mol/L HCl at 25degreesC for 4 h.

MEASUREMENT METHOD AND PHYSICAL MODEL OF VSC CONDUCTIVITY AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN CONDUCTING POLYMERS

Method of VSC (Voltage Shorted Compaction)can be used to determine the intrinsic temperature dependence ofconductivity ofpolycrystalline compaction. The experimental conditions and technical key for preparation of VSC device and its physical model as well as its applications in conducting polymers are discussed in detail.

Additive manufacturing(3D printing)of electrically conductive polymers and polymer nanocomposites and their applications

Additive manufacturing,or three-dimensional(3D)printing,offers a unique solution for fabricating complex geometries with high tolerances.Currently,many commercial additive manufacturing machines focus on the printing of polymers with limited functionalities.However,conductive polymers(CPs)can be processed to enable the additive manufacturing of conductive,low-density,and low-cost parts for a myriad of applications.This review summarizes the relevant achievements in the additive manufacturing of conductive polymers(CPs)and conductive polymer nanocomposites,with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of processing and printing these materials compared with alternative traditional manufacturing methods and their properties.Finally,the prospective applications of these additive manufacturing printed conductive materials are explored.

PREPARATION OF POLYANILINE/ACETYLENE BLACK COMPOSITE AS HOLE CONDUCTOR IN SOLID-STATE DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL

A clay-like conductive material comprising polyaniline（PANI）-acetylene black particles is fabricated as a hole conductor for dye sensitized solar cell（DSSC）.The results show that the introduction of acetylene black into the polymer electrolyte improves the photovoltaic behavior of solid-state DSSC,owing to the increase of the hole mobility of PANI electrolyte,the improvement of the wetting quality of the composite electrolyte,and the reinforcement of interface contact between electrode and the electrolyte.Finally,the overall energy conversion efficiency of DSSC with PANI-50%（in weight）acetylene black electrolyte is 48% of that of liquid DSSC.Therefore,the PANI-acetylene black composition is a credible alternative to hole conductor in application of solid DSSC.

Elastomeric polymers for conductive layers of flexible sensors: Materials, fabrication, performance, and applications

In the wave of the Internet era created by computer and communication technology,flexible sensors play an important role in accurately collecting information owing to their excellent flexibility,ductility,freeform bending or folding,and versatile structural shapes.By endowing elastomeric polymers with conductivity,researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing high-performance flexible sensors based on elastomeric conductive layers and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from project manufacturing to daily life.This review reports the recent advancements in elastomeric polymers used to make conductive layers,as well as the relationships between elastomeric polymers and the performance and application of flexible sensors are comprehensively summarized.First,the principles and methods for using elastomeric polymers to construct conductive layers are provided.Then,the fundamental design,unique properties,and underlying mechanisms in different flexible sensors(pressure/strain,temperature,humidity)and their related applications are revealed.Finally,this review concludes with a perspective on the challenges and future directions of high-performance flexible sensors.

Antibacterial Effect of the Conducting Polyaniline

Excellent antibacterial performance of polyaniline （PAni） against Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus microorganisms has been demonstrated under both dark and visible light conditions. The electrostatic adherence between the PAni molecules and the bacteria may play a very important role for the antibacterial reaction of the PAni. As a result of our investigation, conducting PAni and its composites/blends are believed to be useful as a new type of antibacterial agent, self-clean as well as multifunctional material for improving the human health and living environment.

Hybrid supercapacitor based on polyaniline doped with lithium salt and activated carbon electrodes

Polyaniline（PANI） nanofiber was synthesized by interfacial polymerization utilizing the interface between HC1 and CCl4. The hybrid type supercapacitors （PLi/C） based on Li-doping polyaniline and activated carbon electrode were fabricated and compared with the redox type capacitors （PLi/PLi） based on two uniformly Li-doping polyaniline electrodes. The electrochemical performances of the two types of supercapacitors were characterized in non-aqueous electrolyte. PLi/C supercapacitors have a wider effective energy storage potential range and a higher upper potential. At the same time, the PLi/C supercapacitor exhibits a specific capacity of 120.93 F/g at initial discharge and retains 80% after 500 cycles. The ohmic internal resistance （REs） of PLi/C supercapacitor is 5.0 Ω, which is smaller than that of PLi/PLi capacitor （5.5 Ω）. Moreover, it can be seen that EtgNBF4 organic solution is more suitable for using as organic electrolyte of PLi/C capacitor compared with organic solution containing LiPFr.

Electrochemical performance of all-solid lithium ion batteries with a polyaniline film cathode

We have prepared a high-density polyaniline（PANI） paste（50 mg/m L）, with similar physical properties to those of paints or pigments. The synthesis of PANI is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared（FT-IR） spectroscopy. The morphologies of PANI, doped PANI, and doped PANI paste are confirmed by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. Particles of doped PANI paste are approximately 40–50 nm in diameter, with a uniform and cubic shape. The electrochemical performances of doped PANI paste using both liquid and solid polymer electrolytes have been measured by galvanostatic charge and discharge process. The cell fabricated with doped PANI paste and the solid polymer electrolyte exhibits a discharge capacity of ～87 μAh/cm2（64.0 m Ah/g） at the second cycle and～67 μAh/cm2（50.1 m Ah/g） at the 100 th cycle.

FREE STANDING FILM OF POLYANILINE

A free standing film of polyaniline as large as 18 cm×18cm×0.002 cm can be obtained by evaporation of a solution of the chemically synthesized base in NMP. Its structure was examined by the elemental analysis, IR, U.V.-visible spectra, XPS, DSC, SEM and X-ray scattering and its conducting behavior as well as electrochemical properties were studied. Results show that the composition, structure of main chain, physical properties of the free standing film of polyanilme is similar to that of the powder. However, some differences in its electronic structure, conductivity at room temperature and potential of redox couple between the flee standing film and powder are observed, which may be due to cross-linking of the film of polyaniline.

Investigation of Novel Short Fiber-like Polyaniline/Cerium Nitrate Composite

Polyaniline(PANI)/Ce(NO_3)_3 composite with short fiber-like shape was synthesized successfully in a poly(2-arcylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) aqueous solution. A comparison of SEM images found that short fiber-like composites can be obtained by controlling the dosage of Ce(NO_3)_3. The length and diameter of short fiber-like PANI/Ce(NO_3)_3 composite was about 630 and 200 nm, respectively. A special conjugated structure had formed via Ce^(3+) ions and –NH– group in the quinonoid ring of PANI, which was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). Short fiber-like PANI/Ce(NO_3)_3 composite exhibited a high conductivity, a large capacitance and an enhanced anticorrosion property. Linear four-probe method confirmed that the electrical conductivity of composites was improved with the presence of Ce^(3+) ions. The corrosion potential of PANI/Ce(NO_3)_3 composite increased to-79 mV at 10 wt% of Ce(NO_3)_3. Meanwhile, the minimum density of corrosion current(1.4 μA/cm^2) was also achieved.

Electrical resistance response of polyaniline films to water,ethanol,and nitric acid solution

This paper reports on electrical resistance vs. aging time for the response of polyaniline films under exposure to water, ethanol and nitric acid （HNO3） solution. Camphor sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline films were prepared by a ＂doping-dedoping-redoping＂ method, the morphology and microstructures of the films were characterized by a scanning electron microscope and an x-ray diffractometer, the electrical resistance was measured by a four-probe method. It was found that a lower amount of water molecules infiltrating the film can decrease the film＇s resistance possibly due to an enhancement of charge carrier transfer between polyaniline chains, whereas excessive water molecules can swell inter-chain distances and result in a quick increase of resistance. The resistance of the film under exposure to ethanol increases and becomes much larger than the original value. However, HNO3 solution can decrease the film＇s resistance sharply possibly owing to doping effect of protonic acid. These results can help to understand the conduction mechanism in polyaniline films, and also indicate that the films have potential application in chemical sensors.

Charge transport in conducting polyaniline co-doped with sulfosalicylic acid and dodecylbenzoyl sulfonic acid

We prepared conducting polyaniline （PAn） co-doped with sulfosalicylic acid （SSA） and dodecylbenzoyl sultonic acid （DBSA） in micro-emulsive polymerization, and studied its charge transport behaviors based on the measurement of its electrical conductivity in the temperature range between 203 K and 298 K. The conductivity was found to increase with temperature, similar to the case in semiconductors. Analyzing the experimental data with three models, namely the charge-energy-limitedtunneling model, Kivelson model and the three-dimensional variable range hopping （3D-VRH） model demonstrated that these models all describe well the charge transport behaviors of PAn co-doped with SSA and DBSA within the mentioned temperature range. From calculation with the 3D-VRH model, the hopping distance of the conducting PAn is obviously larger than its localization length. The PAn doped with SSA and DBSA enjoys desirable crystallinity due to the co-doping of two functional sulfonic acids. The macroscopic conductivity may correspond to three-dimensional transport in the network of the bundles, and the metallic islands may be attributed to quasi-one-dimensional bundles.

Surface Structure, Spectroscopic and Photocatalytic Activity Study of Polyaniline/TiO2 Nanocomposites

PANI （polyaniline） as a promising conducting polymer and photosensitizer has been used to prepare PANI/TiO2 （polyaniline/TiO2） nanocomposite as photocatalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles with size of 5-100 nm were encapsulated by PANI via the ＂in situ＂ polymerization of aniline on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. IR, SEM, EPR techniques were used to characterize the mechanism of electron interaction in PANI/TiO2 nanocomposite. The resulting PANI-modified TiO2 composites exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity than that of neat PANI on degradation of MB （methylen blue） aqueous solution under UV irradiation.

Mesoporous Structure and Photocatalytic Activity of Doped Polyanilines

Photocatalytic activity of doped polyaniline nanopowders with different molar ratio of An/O （aniline^oxidizer） has been studied in the process of photocatalytic decolorization of aqueous solutions of methylene blue. By means of scanning electron microscopy and low-temperature N2 adsorption method, it was found that doped PANI （polyaniline） nanopowders have the particles size of 30-50 nm with the specific surface area of 20-35 m2.g＂~. It was found that PANI photocatalytic activity essentially depends on molar ratio of An/O and adsorption interactions between the dye molecules and catalytic active centers on PANI surface and these interactions are greatly affected by pH of the solution 9.2. An optimum of the synergetic effect is found for an initial molar ratio of aniline to oxidizer equal to 0.8.

Preparation and Properties of Polyaniline in the Presence of Trehalose

Oxidative polymerization of aniline in aqueous solution in the presence of trehalose was conducted. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful preparation of polyaniline containing a trace amount of trehalose. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy revealed that electron spin concentration of the polyaniline increases with aniline/trehalose ratio in the polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the polyaniline shows granular and porous morphology. Electrical conductivity of these polyanilines was in the order of 10-4 S/cm.

High Performance Soft Electrochemical Actuators Based on Hierarchical Conductive Polymer Ionogels

Electrochemical actuators based on conductive polymers are emerging as a strong competitive in the field of soft actuators because of their intrinsically conformable/elastic nature,low cost,low operating voltage and air-working ability.Recent development has shown that adding electroactive materials,such as CNT and graphene,can improve their actuation performance.Despite the complex material systems used,their output strains(one of the key factors)are generally lower than 1%,which limited further applications of them in multiple scenarios.Here,we report soft electrochemical actuators based on conductive polymer ionogels by embedding polyaniline particles between the PEDOT:PSS nanosheets.Results show that such a hierarchical structure not only leads to a high conductivity(1250 S/cm)but also improved electrochemical activities.At a low operating voltage of 1 V,the maximum strain of these soft actuators reaches an exceptional value of 1.5%,with a high blocking force of 1.3 mN.Using these high-performance electrochemical actuators,we demonstrate soft grippers for manipulating object and a bionic flower stimulated by an electrical signal.This work sets an important step towards enabling the enhanced performance of electrochemical actuators based on conductive polymers with designed microstructures.