Development of grafted rubber/polyaniline/carboxymethyl cellulose film as green conductive polymer film

Conducting polymer film has been found to be good alternative for conventional metal film in the application of flexible conductors for stretchable electronics. This research aims to produce green conductive polymer film with good mechanical and electrical performance through incorporation of polyaniline (PAni) as conductive material and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as natural reinforcing filler in grafted rubber host. Different molar ratios of aniline (Ani) monomer and docusate sodium salt purum (AOT) dopant were used to produce PAni:AOT of molar ratio 5:3, 5:5 and 5:7. Grafted rubber/PAni/CMC films were synthesised using ex situ polymerisation and characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM analyses. The mechanical and electrical performances were studied via universal tensile machine and resistivity meter, respectively. Incorporation of PAni in polymer films improved the electrical conductivity from 0 S cm(-1 )(MG49/CMC) to 1.388 x 10(-7) -1.807 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) (MG49/PAni/CMC). Addition of CMC enhanced the mechanical performances of the films with improved tensile strength and Young modulus from 8.0 (MG49/PAni 5:7) to 9.2-12.1 MPa (MG49/PAni 5:7/CMC) and 279 MPa (MG49/PAni 5:7) to 401-630 MPa (MG49/PAni 5:7/CMC), respectively. In conclusion, mechanical performance and electrical conductivity range of the synthesized conductive polymer film of MG49/PAni 5:7/CMC fulfil the recommended mechanical and electrical performance range of traditional and commercial conductive films.

Automated summary

This research successfully synthesized green conductive polymer films with good mechanical and electrical performance by incorporating polyaniline and carboxymethyl cellulose in grafted rubber host. The addition of polyaniline significantly improved the electrical conductivity of the films, while the presence of carboxymethyl cellulose enhanced their mechanical properties.