Title
AC conductivity studies of p-toluenesulfonic acid doped polyaniline-sodium alginate composites
Authors
Y.T. RAVIKIRAN S. KOTRESH S.C. VIJAYA KUMARI K.C. SAJJAN B.S. KHENED and S. THOMAS

Published Volume 49 Issue 1 January
Keywords polyaniline, sodium alginate, polymer composites, electrical properties, humidity sensor

Abstract
In this work, an attempt has been made to enhance Alternating Conduction (AC) properties of sodium alginate/polyaniline (SA/PANI) composites. So, four SA/PANI composites with different concentrations of PANI have been synthesized at room temperature using the chemical polymerization technique. The interaction of PANI with SA during the formation of the composite was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The arrangement of PANI chains in the composites and their crystallinity were investigated by X-ray diffraction studies. The submicron size and the morphology of the composites were confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy technique. Increased AC conductivity of the composites at room temperature in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz was confirmed. Of the four composites, the complex plane impedance plot of SA/PANI-60% composite was simulated to find an equivalent resistance-capacitance circuit. Based on these predictions, the SA/PANI-60% composite has been tested and it proved to be a good material capable of sensing humidity at room temperature.