Synthesis and properties of an electroactive alternating multi-block copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and oligo-aniline with high dielectric constant

A novel electroactive polymer that has alternating oligo-aniline and flexible poly(ethylene oxide) segments in the main chain has been synthesized through oxidative coupling polymerization. The chemical structure of the electroactive copolymer was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy measurements. The electrochemical activity of the copolymer was tested in 1.0 mol L-1 H2SO4 aqueous solution and it shows two redox peaks. Moreover, the thermal properties of the copolymer were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The copolymer obtained has good solubility in some common organic solvents. The most important properties of the copolymer are its dielectric ones, which were also investigated. It has a very high dielectric constant at room temperature. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry