Self-supported bacterial cellulose polyaniline conducting membrane as electromagnetic interference shielding material: effect of the oxidizing agent

Conducting bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes coated with a high proportion of polyaniline (PAni) were prepared through in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on the surface of the BC in the presence of acetic acid as the protonating agent. The effect of two different oxidizing agents, ammonium persulfate (APS) or iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), on the mechanical performance, electrical conductivity, crystallinity, morphology and ability to absorb the electromagnetic radiation was investigated. BC/PAni membranes prepared with FeCl3 displayed higher conductivity and better mechanical performance than those observed for pure BC or the BC/PAni membranes prepared with APS. Experiments related to the electromagnetic absorbing properties revealed that BC/PAni membranes prepared with FeCl3 also present improved absorbing properties in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. The morphology of the membranes, observed by field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy, is strongly affected by the oxidizing agent. Whereas the BC/PAni membranes prepared with APS present PAni nanoparticles attached on the fiber surface as agglomerates in the form of flakes, those prepared with FeCl3 display a uniform and smooth coating of PAni on the BC fibers as hierarchical mode.