Doping-induced layered structure in N-Alkylated Polyanilines

Abstract

The influence of various organic dopants on the structure of N-alkylated polyanilines substituted with alkyl side chains of different lengths and at different degrees of alkylation has been studied by FT-IR, UV-Visible spectroscopies. and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the protonation as seen for polyaniline emeraldine base can be achieved successfully through the doping method in our experiments. The conductivities of the doped polymers decrease with increasing the length of side chains and the degree of alkylation. The polyanilines doped with methanesulfonic acid (MSA), toluenesulfonic acid (TSA), and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) induce a co-operative effect with the alkyl side chains on the formation of layer order. Small dopants distort the layered structure and prevent the crystallization of the side chains. The interaction of the alkyl side chains and alkyl group in DBSA assist in the development of the layered structure.