Development of polyaniline/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (PANI/EPDM) conductive blend by in situ polymerization technique

Elastomeric composites based on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) filled with polyaniline (PANI) doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid were prepared by in situ polymerization. The thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the resulting blend have been investigated via different characterization techniques. The interaction between the blend components was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to carry out the charge conduction studies of EPDM-PANI blends. The blend was solution polymerized and the sample was obtained in the form of a sheet. Since polyaniline acts as a conducting polymer and its concentration influences the electrical as well as the mechanical properties of the final product.