The present investigation describes a facile and rapid approach of conductive nanocomposites production and assesses the opportunity of their use as electro-mechanical sensors. Hybrid materials containing silver and polyaniline nanoparticles reinforcing a thermoplastic elastomeric matrix were studied. The approach developed includes ultrasonically assisted in situ inverse emulsion polymerization of aniline oxidized by a weak oxidant and silver nitrate, and supported with a strong oxidant, ammonia peroxydisulfate. Aniline was doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid in the presence of dissolved styrene–isoprene–styrene thermoplastic elastomer. While conventional polymerization of aniline with silver nitrate takes 2weeks, by utilization of inverse emulsion polymerization, the reaction time reduces to 5 days. The assistance of a strong oxidant dramatically shortens the reaction time to 30 min. The technique developed results in uniform distribution of polyaniline/silver (PANI/Ag) conductive nanoparticles in the elastomeric matrix. The morphological studies of the films reveal spherically shaped 45nm Ag particles. The presence of PANI/Ag in the styrene–isoprene–styrene elastomeric matrix enhances the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The approach described provides an opportunity of the development of tunable structures and a remarkably distinctive architecture. A rapid electrical resistance response to an applied strain makes the nanocomposites developed useful as sensitive strain sensors.
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CITATION STYLE
Brook, I., Berner, A., Tchoudakov, R., Suckeveriene, R. Y., & Narkis, M. (2014). Conductive elastomeric nanocomposites based on oxidation of aniline with silver nitrate via inverse emulsion polymerization. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 25(12), 1446–1453. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3386