An anionic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes-driven approach to synthesize conductive composites

The composites of anionic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes/conducing polymer (ASPB/CP) have been successfully prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline and pyrrole monomers in an acidic medium containing anionic spherical polyelectrolyte brushes. These composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, zeta potentials, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and four probe methods. It was found that the poly(aniline- co -pyrrole) was uniformly coated on the surface of ASPB. Besides, the ASPB/CP composites had higher doping level than the pure copolymer after doping with ASPB. Moreover, these composites also showed better solubility and storage stability than pure copolymer. The electrical conductivity of the ASPB/CP composites at room temperature was 7.2 S/cm, while it was 2.4 S/cm for the pure copolymer under the same circumstances.