Conductivity and structure of melt-processed polyaniline binary and ternary blends

In the present study, conductive binary and ternary blends containing polyaniline (PANI) were developed through melt blending. The binary blends' investigation focused on the morphology, in light of the components' interaction, and the resulting electrical conductivity. Similar solubility parameters of a given doped PANI and a matrix polymer lead to dispersion of fine PANI particles within the matrix, and to formation of conducting paths at low PANI contents. A plasticizer acting also as a compatibilizer improves the matrix polymer/PANI interactions. In ternary blends consisting of PANI and two immiscible polymers, the PANI preferrentially locates in one of the components, affecting the blend's morphology. This "concentrating" effect leads to relatively high electrical conductivity at a low PANI content. The electrical conductivity of the studied ternary blends is almost independent of the components' sequence of addition into the hot melt mixing device, exhibiting the selectivity of PANI towards one of the components.