Towards optimization of electrical and mechanical properties of polyaniline: Is crosslinking between chains the key?

Abstract

A distinction has been made experimentally between the effect on conductivity and tensile strength caused by 1-D mechanical alignment of parent polyaniline films and the effect produced by the combination of physical crosslinking by crystalline domains and associated 1-D nematic-type alignment of amorphous material. At least in the case of films, a small amount of alignment in amorphous regions results in surprisingly large increases in conductivity and tensile strength; however, extensive crosslinking by crystalline domains and associated 1-D nematic alignment in amorphous regions is necessary in order to optimize interchain electrical and mechanical properties.