Synthesis, Characterization, and Conductivity Studies of Poly-o-Methoxyaniline Intercalated into V2O5 Xerogel

In this work we study the conductivity properties of poly-o-methoxyaniline/V₂O₅ intercalation compounds obtained through intercalative polymerization of o-methoxyaniline with V₂O₅·nH₂O in hydrogel form and by reacting directly with V₂O₅ film in de-hydrated form (xerogel). These new compounds were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared and ultra-violet/visible spectroscopies, electron paramagnetic resonance, elemental analysis (C, N, H), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, dc-conductivity and powder X-ray diffraction. For samples formed from V₂O₅ xerogel in film form, an increase in dc-conductivity and a decrease in the thermal activation energy in comparison with pure matrix was observed. The increase in conductivity is attributed to an increase of carrier density in the vanadium oxide lattice and the contribution of polarons from the polymer. On the other hand, for the intercalation compound obtained with V₂O₅·nH₂O in hydrogel form presents a very low room temperature conductivity value. The decrease in conductivity is due to the lack of connectivity of the various parts that compose the material.