Growth model of chemically synthesized protonated PAni-emeraldine

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the possibility that the polyaniline emeraldine salt (PAni-ES) would have a coral-like structure. The predicted structure of polyaniline might have resulted from the following events: polyaniline molecules clustered together to form globular particles, which are the primary particles; the globular particles then adsorb nearby particles forming larger clusters, known as secondary particles; these larger clusters adsorb nearby clusters, forming the tertiary particles The result of the FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the fabrication of PAni-ES. Structures of chemically synthesized polyaniline doped with various acids examined under the scanning electron microscope revealed the tertiary structures of polyaniline particles. Also, micrographs of PAni doped with different acids show that the product has a coral-like structure as predicted from the nucleation growth model.