<i>In Situ</i> Deposition of Conducting Polymer onto Pineapple Leaf Fiber

Abstract

This paper reports the properties of newly developed electrically conductive natural fiber made up of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and conducting polyaniline (PANI). The results revealed that the in situ coating of PANI (1 wt.%) showed minimal reduction on the PALF tensile strength. Percolation concentration of the PANI was observed at 5 wt.% and its corresponding electron micrograph showed good polymer deposition with the characteristic globular PANI formation plus no fiber damages. This fiber material has potentials for many applications such as composites, electroactive fillers and conductive sheets.