Highlights• Lecithin-formed LC structure in water solution • Preparation of conducting polymer thin films on ITO glass • Lecithin LC structure transcribed to polymer thin films • Island pattern observed in polymer thin films by the SEM.Abstract: Lecithin is a biological material that exhibits lyotropic liquid crystal form at certain concentrations in water. Specifically, lecithin forms lamellar structures like a smectic phase layers. We describe electro-oxidative preparation of polymers such as polyaniline (PANI), poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and polypyrrole (PPy) in a lecithin liquid crystal matrix. Cross-shaped images (Maltese crosses) derived from lamellar structures were observed for the resultant polymer film with a polarizing optical microscopy under crossed nicol condition. Lecithin lamellar structure in the water was transcribed to the resultant polymers during the electropolymerization. This research demonstrates transcription of a liquid crystal aggregation form of biomaterials onto synthetic polymers through electrochemical process.
Polyaniline (PANI) is synthesized in the presence of montmorillonite (Mt). Mt has small spaces between its layers. This interlayer spacing functions as a reaction field for the production of PANI with an organized structure. Mt/PANI composites thus synthesized were characterized by the IR and the UV-Vis optical absorption spectroscopy measurements. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that the PANI is covered by the flake structure of the Mt. A cylindrical structure was also observed in the sample. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the composite of the PANI and the Mt had an ordered structure, suggesting that the macroscopic structure of the natural clays can provide a unique reaction field for polymerization reactions.
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