Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(o-chloroaniline) Micro/Nanostructures in a Novel Redox System

In a redox system containing ascorbic acid(AA) and ammonium persulfate(APS), Poly(o-chloroaniline)(POC) micro/nanostructures including nanoparticles, nanofibers, and microspheres were successfully prepared through a self-assembly process in absence of additional template. The results indicated that POC morphologies were strongly affected by the molar ratio of o-chloroaniline(OC) to ascorbic acid([OC]/[AA]) and the reaction temperature. The fibrillar or spherical POC micro/nanostructures could be dynamically controlled in the AA/APS redox system by changing the polymerization rate of OC monomers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the POC nanofibers had a better thermal stability than POC microspheres. The conductivity of POC nanofibers could reach 5.5×10-3S/cm, while the microspheres were almost insulators.