Preparation and characterization of Polyaniline/Polystyrene Composite and Nanocomposites using various surfactants in aqueous media

Polyaniline/polystyrene (PAni/PS) composites were prepared in aqueous solution by polymerization of styrene and aniline in two-stages. Firstly, styrene polymerize using Ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant in the presence of various surfactants such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) . In next stage, aniline polymerize using Ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant in the presence of PS latex. Products were characterized in terms of particle size, conversion of monomer to polymer, morphology, chemical structure. The chemical structure and morphology of product were studied by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) .The results show that the type and concentration of surfactant play a major role on the surface morphology and particle size of products. The FTIR spectra show that the intensity of peaks in related to the type of surfactant.