ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Effect of ionic liquid on polyaniline chemically synthesised under falling-pH conditions

Anurag Krishna, Cosmin Laslau, Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse, Zoran D. Zujovic, and Jadranka Travas-Sejdic

Department of Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India

E-mail: z.zujovic@auckland.ac.nz

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([bmim]Cl) on the morphological, structural, and electronic properties of polyaniline (PANI) products synthesised by the falling-pH method. Products were characterised by SEM, FT-IR, UVVIS, N₂-physisorption, and conductivity measurements. The [bmim]Cl addition strongly influenced the PANI morphology, specific surface area, porosity, and conductivity. Depending on the [bmim]Cl: ANI ratio and the synthesis pH, a wide range of PANI nanostructures could be prepared, with rod-like, and fibre-like elongated structures being the dominant morphology under most experimental conditions. Samples prepared in the presence of [bmim]Cl exhibit specific areas of ca 22–35 m² g⁻¹. The conductivity of the final products depends on the [bmim]Cl: ANI ratio. Temperature dependence of conductivity in the temperature range from 77 K to 300 K was also studied.

Keywords: polyaniline – ionic liquid – nanostructure – conducting polymer

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0327-7

Chemical Papers 67 (8) 995–1001 (2013)