On the conductivity measurement of polyaniline pellets

The influence of the pressure and pressing time used for preparation of polyaniline (PANI) pellets, and the time intervals between pressing and testing of the pellets on the conductivity of the pellets is present for the first time. It is shown that with increase of the pressure and pressing time, the conductivity of the p-toluene sulfonic acid (TSA)-doped PANI (PANI-TSA) pellets showed first an increase and then a decrease. When the time intervals between pressing and testing increased, the conductivity of the pellets increased in the initial 48 h and then stabilized, although with little fluctuation. The results were analyzed considering the interchain and intrachain conductivity of PANI, and the voids inside the pellets. It is suggested that only when the pressing and testing protocols for the PANI pellets were kept the same, could the conductivity obtained be the true value and be used for comparison.