Intercalation of conductive polymers into layered structures

The goal of this project was to investigate the host-guest intercalation chemistry of electroactive polymers with two dimensional layered compounds.

Aniline, 2-methylaniline, 2-ethylaniline, and 2-propylaniline were intercalated between the layers of iron oxychloride (FeOCl), an oxidizing structure, whereupon oxidation of the monomer afforded polyanilines between the layers. Electrical conductivity measurements indicate an increase in electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites compared with the pristine layered structure.

Aniline monomers were intercalated between the layers of hydrogen titanate (HTiO2) through an acid-base type interaction. The aniline intercalated titanate was heated in air to oxidize the aniline monomers which resulted in polymerization of the monomers to yield polyaniline intercalated titanate.

Attempts to intercalate ionically conductive polymers between the layers of titanate were unsuccessful but indicated that layered TiO2 has a strong affinity for intercalation of small positively charged species such as H+.

The highly ion conducting polymer poly(bis-(methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene) was complexed with lithium triflate and intercalated into graphite oxide. The isolated product appears to be graphite reinforced polymer rather than a true intercalation compound but physical stabilization of the polymer is apparent.

The insertion of lithium ions into natural hectorite has been accomplished and a study of its ion conducting properties has shown good room temperature ion conductivity.

All materials have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, TGA, and DSC where suitable. Electrical conductivities were investigated using the four probe van der Pauw technique while ionic conductivity was determined through AC impedance spectroscopy.