Synthesis and morphological characterization of PMMA/polyaniline nanofiber composites

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/Polyaniline nanofibers composite films were prepared by solution casting. Doped polyanifine self-assembled nanofibers (PANFs) were synthesized by interfacial polymerization performed in an aqueous HCI/dichloromethane biphasic system in the presence of ammonium peroxydisulfate as oxidant agent. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was added to the organic phase in order to verify possible modification the morphology the nanostrucutures when compared with previous reports. Treatment in an ultrasonic bath of PANFs on butanone resulted in a green dispersion (up to 250 mg/dL). Dispersed PANFs were then combined with PMMA/butanone solution. Additional sonication and posterior film cast from solution procedures resulted in slight green PMMA/PANFs 0.15-0.30% (wt/wt) composite films. Film composites were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). PANFs powder was investioated by (SEM). An investigation by viscosity method on molecular structure of neat PMMA exposed to ultrasonic irradiation up to 2 h showed small change (<5%) in the viscosity-average molar mass, Mv (approximate to 100 kg/mol). It suggests that mechanical degradation by, cavitation does not occur on PMMA under those conditions. Thus, ultrasonic bath treatment is a simple, accessible method for mitigating solubility problems of PANI doped with inorganic acids and improving quality of low concentration PMMA/PANI composites. Application of these composites relies on the radiolytic stabilization effects of PANI on PMMA matrix. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.