Imparting conductivity and chromic behavior on polyester fibers by means of poly(3-methylthiophene) nanocoating

Poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT)-coated polyester fabric is a conductive textile with specific electrical and optical properties; for instance, color change under external stimulus (chromic behavior) was successfully prepared by chemical polymerization with continuous, speed stirring technique. To investigate the striking effect of some variable conditions of polymerization process, the effect of reaction time, temperature, and oxidant concentration on conductivity of the P3MT-coated fabric was studied. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the surface of fabric has entirely been coated with P3MT particles. The further characterizations were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to provide evidence of forming particles onto the fabric, UVvis absorption spectroscopy, electrical surface resistivity, and pressure dependence visible reflectance spectrophotometer measurements and X-ray diffraction analysis. The blue shift in wavelength of maximum absorption of about 95 nm to a longer wavelength from that observed in the reflectance spectra of coated polyester fabric; under high-pressure P3MT-coated polyester fabric demonstrated piezochromism. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012