Preparation and characterization of polyaniline films in the presence of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine

The chemical oxidation of aniline to form polyaniline (PANI) films was made in the presence of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (PPDA) in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium. The PANI films were monitored by using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. The effect of PPDA and its concentration on the film formation was investigated. It was found that PPDA decreases the yield of the PANI film, the induction period and the depletion time of the polymerization. However, the growth rate of the film formation was found to increase by increasing PPDA concentration. These results were justified by measuring the UV–VIS absorption spectra for the in situ PANI films and the in situ UV–VIS absorption spectra for the polymer in the bulk during the polymerization. The conductivity for the PANI films at different concentrations of PPDA was measured. Also, the IR spectra, X-ray and the thermal gravimetric analysis for the PANI powder formed in the bulk in the presence of PPDA were measured and discussed.