Polyaniline and mineral clay-based conductive composites

Abstract

Composite materials have attracted the attention of numerous researchers due to the distinct properties shown by this class of materials and the mineral clay used in their synthesis. In this study, conductive composites were obtained by mixing polyaniline (PAni) with clay (kaolinite and montmorillonite). The aniline was polymerized in a medium with clay and the powder was characterized by X ray diffraction, electrical conductivity and morphology. The results suggest PAni chain linearization in a kaolinite medium. The addition of montmorillonite resulted in PAni chain linearization and intercalation of mineral clay, although the montmorillonite was not pretreated. The PAni-clay composites showed an electrical conductivity of 0.01 S.cm-1, which appeared not to be influenced by the amount of clay used.