Effect of Dopant Type on the Properties of Polyaniline Filled PU/PMMA Conducting Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Abstract

The primary aim of the research reported in this paper is to study the influence of the type of dopant, used in the synthesis of polyaniline, on the physico-mechanical and electrical properties of polyaniline filled composites. Polyaniline (PAni) doped with four different dopants was used as a filler in the interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyurethane (PU). The dopants used in the synthesis of PAni included inorganic dopants (hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)) and organic dopants (p-Toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA), camphor sulphonic acid (CSA)). Physico-mechanical properties of the filled-IPNs, tensile strength, hardness, elongation at break and Young's modulus were determined along with electrical conductivity. Chemical resistance of the IPNs against different acids and bases was also determined. It was observed that the properties of PAni filled PU/PMMA IPNs were a strong function of the type of dopant used in the synthesis of PAni.