Electron transport properties of polyaniline composite films containing poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)

Polyaniline (PANI) composites containing poly(3‐hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) were synthesized via in situ deposition technique. The oxidative polymerization of aniline hydrochloride was carried out by dissolving different weight percentages (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt%, and 50 wt%) of PHB using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The as‐synthesized composites were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction pattern. The surface morphology of the resulting composites was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The temperature‐dependent direct current conductivity of the synthesized composite films was measured, and the activation energy responsible for the conductivity was examined. Incorporation of the biodegradable polymer, PHB, during the preparation of new PANI composites significantly increased the conductivity of the resulting composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1655–1662, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers