Characterization of the Aniline.DBSA/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends for the Thermo-Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Properties
Conducting polymer blends Polyaniline-Dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (Pani.DBSA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were prepared using in-situ emulsion polymerization method by dissolving both components in DMF. Ani.DBSA/TPU blends were prepared with different compositions 20/80, 30/70, 40/60 and 50/50 wt%. Theses blends have good conducting and mechanical properties. Blends were characterized by Potentiostate, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA). The electrical conductivity increases up to 30 wt% loading of aniline.DBSA after that it decreases gradually. The uniform dispersion of aniline.DBSA showed in SEM images which is the indication of a strong connection between aniline.DBSA and TPU which increase the conductivity. These blends can be used as strain sensors.