Shape and Size Control of Oriented Polyaniline Microstructure by a Self-Assembly Method

Oriented polyaniline (PANI) microstructures (e.g., bulks, spheres, flakes, and fibers) were prepared without a template by polymerization at 80 degrees C and crystal growth at 0 degrees C and using a self-assembly method in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the dopant. It was found that the shape and size of the resulting PANI microstructures depended on the HCl dosage and aniline concentration. Polyanilinium salt precipitates, as a templete, drive the formation of highly oriented PANI microstructures. The infrared and UV-vis absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the molecular structures of the PANI microstructures. The results showed that their main structure was identical to those of the emeraldine salt form of PANI.