Synthesis and characterization of conductive composite films of polyisoprene/PA12@ PANI

Polyamide@Polyaniline powders of core‐shell structure are known to have reduced conduction thresholds useful to maintain the mechanical and optical properties of the matrix. However, difficulties emerge at the synthesis stage, where dissolving the matrix without damaging the core‐shell particles becomes a challenge. The present solution avoids using solvents. Conductive polymer films containing solid Polyamide@Polyaniline particles are elaborated by UV photoreticulation of a liquid polyisoprene serving as a matrix. The conductive powders are obtained by in‐situ polymerization of aniline in presence of polyamide 12 (PA12) at room temperature using Dodecyl benzene sulfonic doping acid and Ammonium persulfate oxidant. Obtained films exhibit low percolation threshold compared to those containing pure solid polyaniline (PANI) particles even more conductive. This threshold is shown to be about 1.5 wt % of PANI. Films show good electrical conductivity and thermal stability up to 200°C allowing their use as antistatic polymer films for high temperatures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39833.