Synthesis and deposition of polyaniline and silver particles on cellulose fibers by solution plasma process

Abstract

Polyaniline is a fascinating conductive polymer due to its beneficial properties including high conductivity, high thermal stability and simple synthesis procedure. However, polyaniline has a drawback on its poor process ability. Therefore, coating of polyaniline on cellulose fibers not only solves the problem on process ability but also increases the flexibility and making it suitable for electronic device applications. Cellulose sheets were prepared from cellulose fibers by a papermaking process. Cellulose fibers from the inner core of banana tree were treated by solution plasma process in order to modify the surface for better interaction between cellulose fibers and polyaniline. Polyaniline was simultaneously polymerized and coated on cellulose fibers by applying solution plasma to enhance the deposition capability of polyaniline on cellulose fibers. In order to enhance the electrical conductivity, different amounts of silver particles were incorporated into the cellulose sheets. In addition to the effect of plasma treatment time on cellulose fibers, the effects of aniline to cellulose fibers ratios and plasma treatment time on coating of polyaniline and silver on cellulose fibers by solution plasma process were investigated. The as-prepared polyaniline and silver co-coated cellulose sheets were characterized by FTIR, SEM, bending test, XRD, electrical conductivity, XPS, TGA and water contact angle.