Comparative studies of chemically synthesized polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) doped with p-toluene sulphonic acid

Polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) doped with p-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TSA) were synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization method using ammonium per sulphate as an oxidizing agent. This is a novel polymerization process for the direct synthesis of emeraldine salt phase of the polymer. The polymers were characterized by using UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, elemental analyzer, TGA/DSC and conductivity measurements. Thermal analysis shows that poly(o-toluidine) is less thermally stable compared to polyaniline. The less conductivity in poly(o-toluidine) is due to the cumulative steric as well as electronic effect of the bulky methyl substituent present on the benzene ring. High temperature conductivity measurements show 'thermal activated behavior'. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.