Synthesis, Characterization and Conductivity Study of Poly (o/m-toluidine-co-o/m-nitroaniline)

An emulsion method with ammonium persulfate as oxidant was used to synthesized a series of Poly (o/m-toluidine-co-o/m-nitroaniline) copolymers of different compositions. The two probe method was used to study the electrical conductivity measurements. The conductivity was found to be higher than that of its homopolymers. Among these copolymers, the conductivity of Poly (o/m-toluidine-co-o/m-nitroaniline) 1:1 was found to be maximum. Temperature dependence of electrical conductivity showed that charge transport was mainly through Variable range hopping model though a mixed conduction behavior was observed at higher temperature range. All the copolymers were completely soluble in DMSO. Electronic spectra showed blue shift in the π-π* and benzenoid→quenoid transitions revealing a decrease in the extent of conjugation in the copolymers. FT-IR and UV-Visible spectroscopy were used for the structural confirmation of these copolymers. Stability is explained in terms of ac electrical conductivity measurements.