Preparation of PANI–PVA composite film with good conductivity and strong mechanical property

The polyaniline (PANI)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) conductive composite films [doped with hydrochloride (HCl), dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid and amino sulphonic acid (NH2SO3H) aqueous solution] were synthesised by 'in situ' polymerisation, and their conductivities were compared. Among these composite films, HCl–PANI–PVA composite film possessed the highest conductivity that reached 1360 S·m− 1 [w(PVA) = 40%]. Meanwhile, the effects of PVA content, HCl concentration, oxidant ammonium persulphate (APS) dosage, reaction time and film drying temperature on tensile strength of the HCl–PANI–PVA composite films were studied. The tensile strength of the film was improved greatly due to effective mixture of PANI and PVA. When the PVA content was 40%, C(HCl) = 1.0 mol·L− 1, reaction time was 4.0 h, n(APS)/n(aniline) = 1.0 and film drying temperature was 80°C, and the tensile strength of the HCl–PANI–PVA composite film reached the maximum of 60.8 MPa. At the same time, the structure of composite materials was characterised and analysed through ultraviolet spectrum and SEM.