Thermal oxidative stability of polyanilines

Abstract

This paper deals with thermal ageing of polyaniline obtained from plasma or chemical ways. FTIR analyses suggest the formation of stable carbonyl compounds in both cases. The plasma polyaniline degrades clearly faster than its chemical analog which is discussed from structural considerations. The consequences of thermal ageing on the surface properties monitored by Water Contact Angles (WCA) are also considered and explained as the overlap of an “oxidation” component that decreases WCA and a “crosslinking” component (only observed in plasma polyaniline) responsible for the WCA increase.