Electrical conductivity transitions and self-assembly in comb-shaped complexes of polyaniline based on crystallization and melting of the supramolecular side chains

Marja Vilkman, Harri Kosonen (Corresponding Author), Antti Nykänen, Janne Ruokolainen, Mika Torkkeli, Ritva Serimaa, Olli Ikkala (Corresponding Author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We report self-assembly and electronic conductivity transitions in polyaniline (PANI) where the iminic nitrogens are protonated by sulfonic acid-terminated low molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) CH3−(O−C2H4−)46−CH2−SO3H (PEOSA), i.e., which contains 46 ethylene oxide repeat units. The complex PANI(PEOSA)0.5 self-assembles due to the comb-shaped architecture consisting of the PANI backbone and the supramolecular PEO side chains, as characterized using small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PEO in the complex PANI(PEOSA)0.5 is crystalline near room temperature; TEM and SAXS indicate lamellar self-assembly with a long period of ca. 150 Å, and the conductivity is of the order 10-4 S/cm. A collapse of the self-assembly periodicity to 115 Å is observed at ca. 55 °C during a slow heating at 1 °C/min, and the conductivity drops stepwise to ca. half of the value as the PEO chains melt. Even if the observed conductivity transition is still relatively small, it is reproducible and reversible upon heating and cooling, with some hysteresis. We expect that the concept can be developed to open new possibilities for responsive conjugated polymers.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)7793 - 7797
    Number of pages5
    JournalMacromolecules
    Volume38
    Issue number18
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Electrical conductivity transitions and self-assembly in comb-shaped complexes of polyaniline based on crystallization and melting of the supramolecular side chains'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this