In situ oxidative copolymerization and characterization of new poly(benzidine-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine)/kaolinite microcomposites

Copolymers of benzidine and o-phenylenediamine/kaolinite clay composites with different percentages of kaolinite clay particles were synthesized via in situ oxidative copolymerization. The spectral characteristics upon incorporation of o-phenylenediamine units into the polybenzidine backbone in presence of kaolinite clay were investigated by means of UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The copolymer in the absence and in the presence of kaolinite clay was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis under non-oxidative conditions. The morphology of the copolymer kaolinite composites system was investigated by the scanning electron microscopy.