Melt processible plasticised polyanilines

Summary form only given. A family of plasticised polyanilines suitable for melt extrusion and moulding applications have been developed as part of an EEC supported BRITE EURAM project. A procedure has been developed in which the emeraldine base form of polyaniline is combined with both a dopant and plasticiser to give complexes that provide melt formable products with high electrical conductivities. The process is applicable to most of the commonly used sulphonic acid dopants and conventional poly (virkyl chloride) plasticisers. The melts can exhibit gel behaviour which influences melt crystallisation and consequent conductivity. Melt blending studies of the plasticised polyanilines with other polymers have also been undertaken. We will present structure-conductivity relationships supported by melt rheology measurements (capillary and cone and plate rheometry) and observations of the morphological structure of the plasticised polymers and blends.