Effect of the Protonation and Chemical Doping of Poly(o-toludine) with Copper Sulfate on the Spectral and Electrical Properties of the Host Polymer

Poly(o-toluidine) (POT) and its samples doped with copper sulfate, a transition metal salt, were synthesized by a chemical oxidative polymerization technique using potassium dichromate as oxidant in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium and chemical doping with copper sulfate. The prepared polymeric samples were characterized by ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and DC conductivity measurement techniques. The UV-visible spectra of doped polymer displayed peaks indicating the presence of charged particles/polarons and/or formation of conducting POT. The characteristic FTIR peaks of the doped polymer provided information regarding structural changes in the backbone of POT and were consistent with the interaction of the benzenoid groups of the polymer with metal ions. X-ray diffraction patterns of powdered doped polymer showed an amorphous nature, as exhibited by most conducting polymers. The DC conductivity of doped polymer was measured by a two-probe method in the temperature range of 300–400 K; a significant enhancement in DC conductivity was observed with an increase in temperature, showing the semiconductor nature of the synthesized doped polymer.