Electrochemical formation of some conducting fibers

A study on the electrochemical grafting of polyaniline onto cotton, silk, and wool fibers was made. These insulating natural fibers became moderately conducting when they were subjected to electrical treatment in the polymerizing solution of aniline in aqueous HBF, medium. The weight gain of the fibers increased linearly and electrical resistance decreased with the time of electrolysis. The multiple cycled voltammograms of the solution of aniline in the aqueous solution of HBF, at the tip of conducting silk and wool fibers, which functioned as a microelectrode, were successfully recorded. The deep green polyaniline film was deposited on the fiber microelectrodes during electrolysis at +0.85 V vs. an Ag/Ag+ electrode. The IR spectra suggest the coordination between the polyaniline and fibers. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.