Blends of thermoreversible gels of polyaniline with thermoplastic elastomers: Co-continuous melt processible polymer structures

Elastic electrically conducting network structures of acid doped polyaniline (PANI) within a solvent medium can be formed where heating to elevated temperatures causes melting with liquid-like flow. An example is provided by specific concentrations of PANI dissolved in dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid (DBSA). Such conducting thermoreversible gels are melt processible and allow conductive polymer blends with thermoplastic elastomers and other thermoplastic polymers as well, provided that the solvent, such as DBSA, is surface active to the matrix polymer.