Synthesis of aligned polyaniline belts by interfacial control approach

Aligned polyaniline (PANI) belts doped with dodecatungstosilic acid (H ₄SiW₁₂O₄₀, abbreviated as SiW₁₂) are synthesized by interfacial control method without surfactants or templates. The structure and morphology of the PANI are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and scanning electron microscope images (SEM). SiW₁₂, as a doping-acid replacing HCl and offering a strong adhesive action between itself and water molecules, plays an important role in controlling aniline in interface system by the ordering character of water molecule layers along the interface. The alignment of the molecules or particles in the polymer nanostructures has a great influence on its performance. The conductivity of SiW₁₂-doped and HCl-doped PANI prepared under the same conditions is tested. As compared to HCl-doped PANI, SiW₁₂-doped PANI has a superior performance on the conductivity.