Highly oriented nanowires from the hierarchical self-assembly in supramolecular complex of polyaniline with ω-methoxypoly(ethylene oxide) phosphates

Highly oriented Polyaniline (PANI) nanowires from the hierarchical self-assembly in supramolecular complex of PANI with ω-methoxypoly (ethylene oxide) phosphates (PEOPA) was prepared. The acid head group of PEOPA acts as the protonic acid dopant for PANI and the hydrophilic PEO makes it water soluble. The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies of PANI (PEOPA) complex show that the bright regions contain the smaller scale lamellae formed by the well-doped PANI chains and PEOPA accounts for the main composition in this phase. The hierarchical structure of PANI(PEOPA) complex show that the nanowires are formed by the poorly doped PANI aggregates and their orientations are directed by assembly of the smaller-scale lamellar structure. The PANI(PEOPA) film displays tridirectional anisotropy of macroscopic electrical conductivity that verifies the formation of highly oriented nanowire structure in the film.