Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(Aniline-co-o-Aminoaniline)

Poly(aniline-co-o-nitroaniline) co-polymer was synthesized by a chemical oxidation process using ammonium peroxydisulfate. The reaction was carried out in aqueous HCl solution with aniline and o-nitroaniline in a molar ratio of 4:1. Although o-nitroaniline did not homo-polymerize, the co-polymer of aniline with o-nitroaniline was readly synthesized. Poly(aniline-co-o-aminoaniline) was prepared by reducing poly(aniline-co-o-nitroaniline) in Fe catalyst at 90–100°C. Co-polymer samples were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, DSC and cyclic voltammetry. Also, solubility of the co-polymer samples was investigated with tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), chloroform, acetone and pyridine. DMF and DMSO were found as the best solvents for poly(aniline-co-o-aminoaniline) and poly(aniline-co-o-nitroaniline). In addition, poly(aniline-co-o-nitroaniline) was more soluble in DMF and DMSO than poly(aniline-co-o-aminoaniline). The DSC results and cyclic voltammetry studies showed that co-polymer samples had good thermal stability and electroactivity.