Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.88, No.1, 79-87, 2003
Physical properties of PVA/PSSNa blends
Blends of conductive polymers with conventional nonconductive ones have, together, the virtues of good electroconductivity and good mechanical properties, whose prospect for electronic industrial application is very good. We prepared poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-sodium polystyrene-sulfonate (PSSNa) blends through aqueous solution casting; the films are flexible and transparent, with electroconductivity that could reach 10(-5) S/cm. The dependence of the electroconductivity on the weight fraction of PSSNa was found to follow the percolation theory. A general discussion is given on the factors that could influence the percolation threshold and the exponent. The films are stable in a 30% KOH solution and keep their conductivity after 10 days' exposure. Some mechanical properties are measured and the best mixing ratio is obtained for future use. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.