Abstract
A multi-block copolymer, containing alternating flexible (1,12-bis phenoxy dodecamethylene) and rigid (aniline pentamer) segments was prepared by oxidative copolymerization of 1,4-phenylendiamine with a N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine-capped oligomer. The copolymer exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents and preserved all electroactive properties of polyaniline. The copolymer structure was studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-Vis, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum of the copolymer showed a high degree of crystallinity attributed to the flexible alkylene spacers between oligoaniline segments that allow the folding of the chain and assembling of the rigid aniline pentamer segments and methylene zigzag chain in crystalline aggregates. The redox behavior of copolymer was studied by cyclic voltammetry, showing three redox peaks assigned to oxidation/reduction process between four oxidation states. The frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric properties was studied in the frequency domain of 1 Hz-1 MHz and?-100 and +50oC.