Polyaminophenol: A substituted polyaniline derivative

One of the major approaches to improve the processability of polyaniline is by making derivatives. But in case of polyaminophenol the processability of the polymer is further lower than the PANI due to ladder structure. It is possible to sinthesize a processable poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP) using basic reaction medium. A free standing film is also prepared from the solution casting in dimethyl sulfoxide. We have also worked on the isomers of aminophenol to explain the difference in structure and properties of polyaminophenol isomers. The effects of dopant and doping conditions are studied for the PmAP to get better polymer in terms of conducting properties. Among various inorganic acids, sulfuric acid is found to act as best dopant than other inorganic acids. Induced doping of the PmAP is also possible by sodium ion due to free –OH groups. Then sulfuric acid doped polymer was used as an aliphatic alcohol sensor material with improved response. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles in the PmAP matrix was done during the film casting of the polymer from the dimethyl sulfoxide solution. The HCl doped silver polymer nanocomposite shows very good response for ammonia vapor.