Comparative studies of solid‐state synthesized poly(o‐methoxyaniline) and poly (o‐toluidine)

Poly(o‐methoxyaniline) (POMA) and poly(o‐toluidine) (POT) salts doped with different acids (methanesulphonic acid (MeSA), trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and hydrochloric acid (HCl)) were synthesized by using solid‐state polymerization method. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and conductivity measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was done to study the morphologies of POMA and POT salts. The FTIR and UV‐Vis absorption spectra revealed that the reduced phase was predominant in POMA salts, and the pernigraniline phase was predominant in POT salts. It was found that POMA salts displayed higher doping level and conductivity. In contrast, POT salts were lower at doping levels and conductivity. In accordance with these results, the electrochemical activity was also found to be lower in POT salts. The XRD patterns showed that the POMA salts displayed higher crystallinity than POT salts. The results from TEM revealed that the morphologies of POMA salts were different from those of POT salts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.