Abstract

In this work, aniline was polymerized directly to the polyaniline-sulfate salt without using a protonic acid. The polyaniline-sulfate salt was prepared by emulsion polymerization, using a non ionic surfactant such as poly(ethylene glycol)-block poly(propylene glycol)-block poly(ethylene glycol). In the aniline oxidation process, to give the polyaniline salt by ammonium persulfate, the sulfate ion is generated from ammonium persulfate and doped on to the polyaniline. Ammonium persulfate acts both as an oxidizing agent, as well as the protonating agent in the aniline polymerization process, to give the polyaniline salt. This result indicates that the effect of sulfate ion, generated by ammonium persulfate during oxidation of aniline to the polyaniline salt, may be taken into consideration in the polymerization process of aniline.