Structural properties of polyaniline protonated with heteropolyacids

Polyemeralidine (PANI) protonated with heteropolyacids has been thoroughly studied using X-ray diffraction. By applying computer modelling, the crystalline structure of the starting base form of PANI as well as its modifications occurring upon introduction of an increasing amount of heteropolyanions into the matrix have been discussed. It is shown that the insertion of the dopant ions between the polymer chains leads to gradual degradation of the PANI crystalline structure. At the same time, one-dimensional long range liquid crystalline ordering of the dopant species takes place. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.