Synthesis, Characterization, and Colloidal Properties of Polythiophene/Borax Conducting Composite

In this study, synthesis of polythiophene (PT) and polythiophene/borax pentahydrate (PT/borax) conducting composite were carried out by in-situ oxidative polymerization. The composite was subjected to various characterization techniques namely: FTIR, particle size, magnetic susceptibility, density, conductivity, dielectric, TGA, XRD, SEM, and zeta (zeta)-potential measurements. The effects of time, pH, various surfactants, electrolytes and temperature on the zeta-potential of PT and PT/borax composite were investigated. In a basic medium the zeta-potential of the composite was observed to decrease up to zeta = -66.5 mV. The most effective surfactant on the zeta-potential of the composite was sodium dodecyl sulfate, which reduced the value of zeta-potential to zeta = -39.2 mV. It was concluded that the presence of mono-valent (NaCl) salt has no impact on zeta-potential whereas, di-valent (BaCl2) salt shifted the zeta-potential value to more positive regions. Elevated temperatures caused almost no change on the zeta-potential of the composite. Also an electrorheological effect (a tremendous viscosity increase) was determined from the PT/borax colloidal systems under an externally applied electric field, and the results obtained will be discussed in the forthcoming article. POLYM. COMPOS., 32:418-426, 2011. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers