Composites of Polystyrene Sulfonic Acid (PSSA)‐Polyaniline and Montmorillonite Clay: Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

Polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) doped water‐soluble polyaniline (PANI)/montmorillonite (MMT) clay composites were synthesized by intercalation polymerization in aqueous medium. The properties of the composites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and conductivity measurement. The results show that the composite has a mixed nanomorphology and exfoliated silicate nanolayers of MMT clay dispersed in the polyaniline matrix. This composite is more thermal stable than that without clay samples and results in good stable temperature‐dependent dc conductivity [σ_dc(T)] as temperature changed.

Keywords:

• polystyrene sulfonic acid
• polyaniline
• montmorillonite
• composite