Effect of aromatic substitution in aniline on the properties of polyaniline

Substitution in aniline has tremendous effect in the synthesis of poly(substituted anilines) as well as in their properties. In this investigation polyaniline (PANI), poly(m-nitro aniline) (PMNA), poly(m-amino phenol) (PMAP) and poly(o-ethyl aniline) (POEA) were synthesized by oxidative polymerization under identical conditions. Different properties were measured and compared with PANI to find out the presence of electron donating -OH group, electron withdrawing -NO₂ group and less effecting ethyl group on the properties of poly(substituted anilines). It was found that presence of any type of substitution in the benzene ring of aniline increases the solubility of the resulted polymer but reduces the yield, degree of polymerization, thermal stability, electrical and thermal conductivity. The colors, bulk density, particle size, percentage of crystallinity vary considerably depending on the nature of substitution.