Recent advances in polyaniline research: Polymerization mechanisms, structural aspects, properties and applications

Recent progress in synthesis, characterization, processing and application of polyaniline (PANI), with the focus on the period 2010–2012, is reviewed. Special attention was paid to new insights in the mechanism of formation of molecular/supramolecular PANI structures. An overview of PANI nanostructures is given. Formation, structure, properties and applicability of oligoanilines (OANIs) formed as intermediates and/or final products in oxidative oligomerization/polymerization of aniline are also discussed. Advances in carbonized OANI/PANI are outlined.