Effects of interactions among polyaniline, camphorsulfonic acid and silica on the structure and properties of their conductive hybrids

In this work, the effects of interactions among polyaniline (PAn), camphorsulfonic acid (CSA), and silica on the structure and properties of their sol‐gel hybrids are investigated. These interactions were revealed by FTIR, UV–vis spectra, and XRD patterns. The interaction between PAn and CSA raises conductivities of the CSA‐doped PAn/SiO2 (c‐PAn/SiO2) hybrids. Moreover, the hydrogen bonding interaction between c‐PAn and silicic acid (precursor of SiO2) leads to a less degree of three‐dimensional network structure of the SiO2 component in a hybrid with higher PAn content. In addition, because of the interactions among CSA, Pan, and SiO2, the conductive c‐PAn‐rich phase distributes uniformly in the hybrid and thermal resistance of the hybrid is enhanced consequently. Besides, the c‐PAn/SiO2 hybrid with higher SiO2 content exhibits more significant blue‐shift of its polaron band, lower conductivity, and higher thermal resistance. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers