Well-defined sulfonated aniline oligomer (SAO) microstructures with rod and flake morphologies were successfully synthesized using an aniline and oxidant with a molar ratio of 10:1 in ethanol and acidic conditions (pH 4.8). The synthesized oligomers showed excellent dispersibility and assembled as well-defined structures in contrast to the shapeless aggregated material produced in a water medium. The synergistic effects among the monomer concentration, oxidant concentration, pH, and reaction medium are shown to be controlling parameters to generate SAO microstructures with distinct morphologies, whether micro sheets or micro rods.
Keywords: microstructures; pH; phenazine; polyaniline; sulfonated polyaniline.