Electroactive conducting blends of poly(o-toluidine) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) and characterisation

Conducting blends of poly(o-toluidine) (POT) with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were prepared by solution casting method. POT doped with H₂SO₄ or p-toluene sulphonic acid (PTSA) was used for making the blends. Flexible, free standing conducting polyblends were obtained and characterised by electrical conductivity measurements, UV-Vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning colorimetry (DSC) and cyclic voltammetry. The conductivity of the blend was found to increase with POT content in the blend. A low percolation threshold (2%) was noted for the blends. Thermal stability of the blends was found to be better. The changes in the crystalline phase of PVDF were observed through FT-IR spectroscopy and DSC measurements. The blend films were electrochemically stable and showed electrochemical properties similar to POT.