Flexible polyaniline

Abstract

Flexible polyaniline having excellent mechanical properties (e.g., elongation at break = 41% and tensile strength = 1.8 kg cm⁻²) was prepared by electrochemical reduction of ordinary polyaniline in organic solvents. The flexibility is directly related with the polymer morphology which was definitely affected by the nature of electrolyte anion. Perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate anion were found suitable to obtain flexible polyaniline. At the same time, it is essential that the polymer so prepared should be reduced (undoped) in some suitable organic solvents before making a flexible free standing film.