Immobilisation of fully sulfonated polyaniline on nanostructured calcium silicate

Up to 7.4% (w/w) of the sulfonated polyaniline, poly(2-methoxyaniline-5-sulfonic acid) (PMAS) can be absorbed onto nanostructured calcium silicates. Spectroscopic and leaching studies on the novel PMAS-silicate nanocomposites obtained indicate that attachment of the PMAS occurs via electrostatic binding of PMAS sulfonate groups to Ca2+ sites on the silicates. The surface area and pore volume of the nanocomposites are comparable to those of pure silicate and increase the surface area of the PMAS polymer by several orders of magnitude. The PMAS emeraldine salt in the nanocomposites retains its chemical reactivity, being readily oxidised and reduced to its pernigraniline and leucoemeraldine forms, respectively. The conductivity of the composite is comparable to that of the pure PMAS, several orders of magnitude higher than that of dried nanostructured calcium silicate.