Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline–polycarbonate composites prepared by an emulsion polymerization

Electrically conductive polymer composite, polyaniline (PANI)–dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA)/polycarbonate (PC), was prepared by an inverted emulsion polymerization in which DBSA played both roles of surfactant and dopant. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for the composite showed the existence of hydrogen bonding between PANI and PC which caused the increase of glass transition temperature with PANI content. Moreover, the electrical conductivity increased around the glass transition temperature because the PANI chains contacted more frequently and facilitated the electron transfer through the hydrogen bonding between PANI and PC. In addition, it was proved by mechanical property that tensile strength of the composite decreased with PANI content because PANI functioned as a defect in PC matrix and the tensile modulus continuously increased because PANI had a higher rigidity of molecules.