Associated Polymers, Solvents and Doping Agents to Make Polyaniline Electrospinnable

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer that has both metal (electrical, electronic, optical and magnetic properties) and polymer characteristics (low density, low-cost and resistance to chemicals). Polyaniline becomes a conductor by treatment with a dopant that acts by extracting electrons (oxidation) or by inserting electrons (reduction). The reduced solubility of PANI in all common solvents restricts its capacity to be electrospun into uniform fibers. The present paper reviews the methods to increase the solubility of PANI by blending it with other polymers and doping it with organic acids, highlighting the best polymer/solvent couples and doping agents.