A novel method of in situ chemical polymerization of polyaniline for synthesis of electrically conductive cotton fabrics

In the present work, a study of two-step in situ chemical polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) on cotton fabric was undertaken by employing the jig-dyeing principle. The important reactant parameters, such as monomer concentration, oxidant/monomer ratio, protonic acid concentration and the duration of polymerization, were studied. The structural and morphological features of the resultant fabric were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance and scanning electron microscopy studies. The electrical conductivity was expressed as both bulk and surface properties. With the present experimental set up, a minimum electrical surface resistivity of about 103 ohm/square was achieved. The present investigation revealed that key parameters, such as protonic acid concentration, oxidant/monomer ratio and the duration of polymerization, are influential at lower monomer concentrations. Further, the treatment method and fabric construction appear to have a predominant role in the deposition, thereby affecting the resultant conductivity. The PANI-coated cotton fabrics thus produced are suitable in application areas of static protection and sensors for smart textiles. The described method of in situ polymerization has a potential for scaling up for bulk production.