AN EMULSION PATHWAY TO ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYANILINE POLYSTYRENE COMPOSITES

A method for the preparation of electrically conductive polyaniline-polystyrene composites is described. The composite is obtained starting from an emulsion in which a solution of sodium dodecylsulfate in water constitutes the continuous phase and a solution of aniline and polystyrene in benzene the dispersed phase. Polymerization of aniline takes place by introducing an oxidant dissolved in an aqueous solution of HCl under vigorous stirring in the emulsion. The composite either precipitates or is precipitated by using a suitable agent. The conductivity can reach values as high as 3-5 S/cm. In contrast to polyaniline, the composite obtained is processable due to the insulating polymer.