Production of self-supported conductive films based on cellulose, polyaniline and silver nanoparticles

Synthetic efforts are being made to produce electrical conductive films based on a combination of cellulose matrix with conducting polymers. Improved mechanical properties and processability of the conducting polymers can be attained by promoting this combination, allowing the production of electrical conductive membranes or sheet of paper-like forms that have many technological uses. Cellulose films containing different amounts of polyaniline combined to silver nanoparticles were prepared in homogenous conditions by the dissolution of microcrystalline cellulose in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid, followed by the mixing with dispersion of silver nanoparticles and polyaniline also prepared in an ionic liquid. Films with high electrical conductivities (23-34 S·cm-1) and homogeneous distribution of the constituents were produced. The high conductivity was promoted by the presence of polyaniline in its most conductivity state with the silver nanoparticles affording the electrical contact among these chains creating a conductive network spread throughout the insulating cellulose matrix.