No description available.

No description available.

For every phenomenon found in inorganic materials, organic counterparts have been found in the last 50 years. The discovery of metallic conductivity in the inorganic conjugated polymer (SN)x was a forerunner to the discovery of metallic conductivity in Polyacetylene [1]. It was soon followed by the development of Polypyrrole and Polythiophene, and by the rediscovery of Polyaniline as a conducting polymer [2]. In polymers like Polyacetylene and Polythiophene, doping is by a redox reaction where the incorporation of electron withdrawing groups creates charge carriers in the polymer backbone. In contrast to these polymers, the main doping mechanism in Polyaniline is protonation, that is the attachment of a proton (donated by an acid) to specific sites (imine and amine groups) in the polymer. The protonated groups are also the sites where water and oxygen interact with the charge carriers on the polymer chain. A wide variety of quasi-particle states (excitons, bipolarons, separated polarons and polaron lattice forms) exist in Polyaniline, in its different states of oxidation and protonation. All of them have different transport and optical signatures. Out of these, only the polaron lattice gives rise to a half-filled conduction band, and therefore a metallic state [3]. This fascinating interplay of protonation and metallic features in Polyaniline, combined with its easy processibility, has made Polyaniline an attractive conducting polymer. Therefore the main focus of this thesis is on the role of the dopant on the electronic and optical properties of doped Polyaniline. The first chapter describes the main features of Polyaniline and its doping by protonation. The second chapter describes the experimental and simulation methods used in this thesis. Steady improvements in processing have led to reduced disorder in the samples, and have given rise to stronger metallic features like metallic (Drude-like) reflectivity in the infrared frequencies, and a positive temperature coefficient of the logarithmic derivative of the conductivity. High molecular weight Polyaniline doped with sulfonic acid dopants by surfactant-counterion processing, like Polyaniline doped with AMPSA (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) [4] and cast from dichloroacetic acid (DCA), shows all the metallic features indicative of an intrinsic metallic state [5]. In this thesis, the third chapter describes the spin-charge dynamics of Polyaniline doped with AMPSA (PANIAMPSA) through X-band Electron Spin Resonance studies [6]. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) is an important technique to probe the spin-charge dynamics of conducting polymers [7, 8]. The X-band ESR spectra of PANI doped with AMPSA showed the presence of two lines (one broad and one narrow) at all temperatures and doping levels, indicative of two types of spin carriers. Three interesting features were observed in our study: a large linewidth ( ~100 Gauss), a maximum of ESR linewidth at ~ 25 K, and a surprising independence of linewidth on water/O2 . The temperature dependence of both linewidths suggests that the broad line is due to the delocalised charge carriers in well-ordered regions, and that the narrow line is due to localised spins in the disordered regions in the sample. Although the XRD spectra showed minimal crystallinity, the ESR and SQUID susceptibility had a strong Pauli contribution, indicative of an intrinsic metallic state. A similarity of the temperature dependence of linewidths of PANI-AMPSA with MWNT-s and HOPG graphite suggested that some quasi-2-D (Q2D) ordering is present in PANI-AMPSA. From Semi-empirical molecular modelling studies, a plausible hydrogen bonding pattern is suggested that can give rise to the Q2D graphene-like arrangement of the PANI polymer chains. This ordering is due to hydrogen bonding between the acrylamido group of the dopant and the amine fragment of the Polyaniline backbone. Hydrogen bonds are not just structural linkers between adjacent chains; they can have subtle effects on electronic states of the polymer backbone due to charge transfer/withdrawal by the hydrogen bond from the delocalised β-electron system of the backbone. The same Q2D model is used to explain the water/oxygen independence of linewidth in PANI-AMPSA. The temperature dependence of linewidth of both lines has been explained in terms of the QTDG (Quasi Two Dimensional Graphite) model, where a strong exchange interaction is presumed to arise between the 2D delocalised charge carriers and the localised spins, leading to a low-temperature peak in the the linewidth. Water is known to significantly enhance the conductive properties of doped Polyaniline [9]. A detailed DFT (Density Functional Theory) modelling study of the influence of water in doped Polyanilines is presented, which clearly indicated that water enhances the charge transfer between the counterion and the polymer backbone. The torsion angles between the adjacent phenyl rings of the emeraldine base decrease when the imine nitrogens are protonated by inorganic acids like HCl and HBr, and hydration of the acid counterions further decrease the torsion angles. In contrast, the torsion angles of the AMPSA protonated Polyaniline are already low (comparable to the hydrated cases), and the charge transferred by AMPSA is also enhanced. Visualisation of the molecular structure of the PANI-AMPSA complex suggested that water molecules may play a minimal role in the electronic properties of AMPSA doped Polyaniline. We suggest the Q2D ordering as the reason for the temperature dependence of the linewidth, the lack of oxygen and water dependence of the linewidth, as well as the enhanced metallic properties in PANI-AMPSA, as compared to other doped Polyanilines. The electronic states of Polyaniline are modified by both redox processes and protonation. This gives rise to a wide variety of optical states, which can be easily accessed by both applied potential and pH [10]. Therefore Polyaniline displays strong electrochromism across the visible, near-IR (NIR), IR and even microwave spectral regions. This feature has wide applications in electrochromic devices. However, a fundamental understanding of the phenomena behind this electrochromism, the charge carrier(s) responsible, and the relation of nanoscopic morphology and electrochemical properties to the electrochromism, is still not clear. In the fourth chapter, we have analysed extensive data from electrochromic devices [11]. Clear assignments are that certain population states contribute predominantly to certain spectral regions (e.g. bipolaron states to the IR, the valence band to the visible and other mid-gap states to the microwave). Among more specific findings, a prominent 7µm (0.16 eV) peak in MIR devices is ascribed to bipolarons, while a low-energy transition at 0.054 eV is ascribed to inter/intra-chain transitions. Each of these transitions is tracked with respect to changes in applied potential, as well as correlated with device morphology and construction. Our analysis of UV-Vis-MIR-FIR-microwave results along with detailed SEM data clearly relates performance in different wavelength regions to morphology. Preliminary kinetics analysis show that the diffusion rates in these devices could be improved further. These findings point to the potential design of very broad-band electrochromic systems encompassing the visible through microwave regions. Polyaniline in its insulating states can be considered as a series of linked oligoanilines. These oligoaniline states can either be considered as a model for describing the properties of the polymer, or can be interesting systems themselves in the light of single-molecular electronic devices [12]. Both applied potential and pH can change the electronic states of these systems. The ability of pH to modify the oxidation states in these systems (and induce electronic transport), and the influence of water on these properties can be a model for biological systems too. While a wealth of information on oligoanilines has been generated from experiments, computational modelling of these systems is less reported. Among many computational methods that have been developed for calculation of optical absorption spectra of molecules, Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) is the method with the widest use. TDDFT obtains the excitation energies of a molecule from the linear response of the electronic density to a external perturbing field [13]. Solvent effects, which are known to affect the excitation energies, are included through the SCRF/PCM (Self-consistent Reaction Field/ Polarizable Continuum Model). PCM is a method that treats the solvent molecules as a continuum, and self-consistently evaluates their electronic distribution around the solute. In the fifth chapter, a systematic study of the optical properties of neutral oligoaniline, in three oxidation states, is performed by varying the chain length and linearity of the backbone. The intrinsic accuracy in the excitation energies obtainable by the combined TDDFT/PCM formalism has enabled us to suggest effective oligomer lengths for the optical transitions in Polyaniline; these are 4 rings for emeraldine base, 4–8 rings for leucoemeraldine base and 4 rings for pernigraniline. The sensitivity of the 2.0 eV exciton peak in emeraldine base to the chemical environment is also apparent from this work. The Valence Density of States (VDOS) and vibrational frequencies, that have been obtained in course of these simulations, have been quantitatively analysed and are a useful addition to understanding the optical properties of neutral Polyanilines. A summary of the results of the dopant and water dependence on the electronic and structural properties of protonated oligoanilines was presented in the third chapter; the appendix describes the methodology in detail. It is worthwhile to emphasize that doped Polyaniline is a system where protonation, hydration and extended β-conjugation all occur together synergistically, and a good overall description of this system is necessary. Modelling the doped state of Polyaniline is a bit more difficult, due to spin polarisation. Ideally, conducting Polyaniline should be modelled in the solid state, with neighbouring chains, counterions and water molecules. Water is known to reversibly increase the macroscopic conductivity and ESR linewidth of doped Polyaniline. In the sixth chapter of this thesis, optical spectra of the bipolaron, separated polaron, and the polaron lattice forms of doped Polyaniline, explicitly including the counterions (Cl, Br, AMPSA) are obtained by the TDDFT method. All the polaronic lattice forms show a dominant absorption at 1.0–1.2 eV, with no absorptions in the range 1.4–2.0 eV. The inclusion of water molecules to solvate the counterions is shown to only weakly modify the optical properties in the polaron lattice form. In the case of polarons on a twisted chain, the 1.0 eV peak is shifted to 1.5 eV. For bipolarons, there is an absorption at 1.3–1.5 eV, along with another peak at 1.8 eV. Comparing with experimental spectra we suggest that the 1.5, 2.8 eV set belongs to a polaron lattice form wherein the chains are twisted. However, individually the 1.5 eV peak may equally come from bipolarons or separated polarons. The peak at 1.8 eV may either be ascribed to a bipolaron form (in which case there should be a 1.5 eV peak too), or to an isolated polaron. The isolated polaron may also show a peak at 2 eV and 3.5 eV that is clearly from a residual emeraldine base electronic state. The steady evolution of the (a) 2 eV exciton peak in emeraldine base to a (b) 1.6– 1.8 eV peak (isolated polarons) to a (c) 1.5 eV peak in the bipolaron form to (d) 1.3 eV peak in the separated polaron form to (e) a 1.0–1.2 eV peak in the fully doped metallic polaron lattice form is clear. This steady evolution observed from TDDFT simulations may help in clarifying the experimental assignments, especially in electrochemical studies on Polyaniline. Simulations including the water molecules were performed to study the experimentally observed dramatic changes on hydration in Polyaniline. However hydration of ions is a dynamic process and static geometries may not provide a fully realistic description. Combined ab initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) and TDDFT calculations may be necessary to realistically model the transport properties of doped Polyaniline. This chapter tries to lay a foundation for such work. The main results obtained in this thesis are summarized in the conclusion. To conclude, this thesis is on the electronic and optical properties of Polyaniline. An ESR study on AMPSA doped Polyaniline indicated a unique 2D nanoscopic morphology, and this structure was validated by molecular modelling. The detailed analyses on electrochromic devices led us to perform TDDFT simulations of neutral and doped Polyanilines. These simulations have resulted in clear UV-VIS-IR assignments in all forms of Polyaniline.

The studies reported in the thesis deal with surface modification of non-platinum metals by coating with electronically conducting polymers, namely, polyanilne (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPY). The oxidation of Г/I2, hydroquinone/quinine and [Fe(CN)6]3-/ [ Fe(CN)6]4-are studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments. It has been shown tht the redox reactions, which do not occur on bare stainless steel electrode, occur through electron-transfer mediated by conducting polymers. The effect of heating of polyaniline (PANI) at 80 0C on its electrochemical activity is studies. Although the thermogravimetric analysis indicates that PANI is stable at temperatures up to about 250 0C and it undergoes decomposition at higher temperatures, its intrinsic redox electrochemical activity decreases with duration of heating at a temperature as low as 80 0C . The polymer completely loses its electrochemical activity. The decrease in lectrochemical activity of PANI is attributed to an irreversible loss of water molecules. The reaction order for degradation of PANI is found to be close to unity, and a value of 1.63 X 10-4 s-1 is obtained for the rate constant. The deactivated PANI does not recover its electrochemical activity even after a prolonged treatment in acidic electrolytes. The electrodeposition of PANI is carried out by galvanostatic, potentiostatic and potentiodynamic methods. The impedance data reflect a marked difference between the PANI deposited by static and dynamic methods. Furthermore, the impedance parameters vary with the sweep rate used in potentiodynamic method. Electrochemical impedance spectra of the electrodes are analyzed using a transmission line model consisting of two rails of finite resistances. Electrochemical deposition of polyaniline (PANI) is carried out on a porous carbon substrate for supercapacitor studies. PANI deposited at 100 mV s-1 sweep rate by potentiodynamic technique on porous carbon substrate is found to possess superior capacitance properties. Capacitance values as high as 1600 F g-1 are obtained and PANI coated carbon electrodes facilitate charge-discharge current densities as hgh as 45 mA cm-2 (19.8 A g-1 ). Electrodes are found to be fairly stable over a long cycle-life, although there is some capacitance loss during the initial stages of cycling. Electrooxidation of ascorbic acid on polyaniline is studied in a fuel-cell. Ascorbic acid (H2A) is employed as fuel and polyaniline (PANI) as the catalyst. H2A is an environmentally and biologically friendly molecule. The catalyst, namely PANI does not consist of any platinum group metal, and at 70 0C , a maximum power density of 4.3 mW cm-2 is obtained at a current density of 15 mA cm-2 . Also, studies on anodically deposited RuO2 for capacitor applications are reported. Cathodic deposition of RuO2 generally produces a mixture of Ru and RuO2 . On the other hand, the anodic depsotion on SS substrates is found to produce RUO2 which is characterized with high power supercapacitance properties. A capacitance value of 274 F g-1 is obtained at a current density of 20mA cm-2 .

No description available.

Dans le cadre de la thématique de recherche du Département Chimie-Environnement de l’Ecole des Mines de Douai portant sur le développement de capteurs de polluants gazeux, de précédents travaux de thèse avaient permis la mise au point d’un capteur chimique d’ammoniac présentant une teneur minimale détectable de 10 ppm, une réponse réversible et une durée de vie supérieure à 3 ans, répondant ainsi au défaut majeur des cellules électrochimiques du marché. La surface sensible du capteur synthétisée de manière propre pour l’environnement, se compose principalement d’un polymère conducteur intrinsèque dont la résistance électrique varie proportionnellement à la concentration en gaz. L’objectif visé dans cette thèse est double : d’une part améliorer les performances métrologiques du capteur d’ammoniac, d’autre part modifier sa surface sensible par une méthode appropriée à la détection spécifique du formaldéhyde. Pour le premier objectif, différents paramètres d’influence tels que la température, l’humidité relative, la vitesse de vent et les composés gazeux interférents ont tout d’abord été évalués, puis le seuil de détection a été réduit d’un facteur 100 par la réalisation de couches minces sur peignes interdigités. Les performances des différentes synthèses ont été comparées et enfin, la robustesse de ces capteurs a été testée lors de campagnes terrains en élevages porcins, qui sont parmi les contributeurs majeurs des émissions d’ammoniac. Pour le second objectif, plusieurs composés sensibles et sélectifs au formaldéhyde ont été introduits dans la surface sensible du capteur et testés. Le fluoral-p a finalement été retenu. Les premiers résultats obtenus ont montré une sensibilité au formaldéhyde proportionnelle à sa concentration, avec une limite de détection de quelques ppm et un temps de réponse inférieur à la minute. Le concept utilisé ici est innovant et montre la faisabilité de la détection du formaldéhyde basé sur la mesure simple des variations de la résistance électrique du film réalisé. La limite de détection reste cependant à diminuer afin de répondre à la problématique de la mesure du formaldéhyde en air intérieur. / As part of the research topic of the Department of Chemistry and Environment at Ecole des Mines de Douai on the development of sensors for gaseous pollutants, previous thesis had enabled the development of a chemical sensor of ammonia with a minimum detectable concentration of 10 ppm, a reversible response and a lifetime of more than 3 years, responding to the major flaw of the electrochemical cells of the market. The sensitive surface of the sensor synthesized in a clean way for the environment, consists mainly of an intrinsically conductive polymer whose electrical resistance varies in proportion to gas concentration.The objective in this thesis is double: on the one hand improve the metrological performance of the ammonia sensor, on the other hand change its sensitive surface by an appropriate method for the specific detection of formaldehyde.For the first objective, different influence parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and interfering gases were first evaluated, then the detection threshold was reduced by a factor of 100 by the realization of thin films on interdigitated electrodes. The performances of different syntheses were compared and finally, the robustness of these sensors has been tested in piggeries, which are among the major contributors of ammonia emissions. For the second objective, more sensitive and selective compounds to formaldehyde were introduced into the sensitive surface of the sensor and tested. The fluoral p was finally selected. The first results showed sensitivity to formaldehyde proportional to its concentration, with a detection limit of a few ppm and a response time less than one minute. The concept used here is innovative and demonstrates the feasibility of formaldehyde detection based on the simple measure of changes in electrical resistance of the sensitive film made. The detection limit must still be decreased to respond to the problem of measuring formaldehyde indoor.

É grande o uso do alumínio em virtude de sua viabilidade técnica e econômica além da alta proteção frente à corrosão conferida pelo filme de óxido de alumínio formado em sua superfície. Neste trabalho foram realizadas deposições de filme de polianilina (PAni) sobre ligas de alumínio AA-2014, AA-2024 e 7075 O. Os experimentos de eletropolimerização foram realizados por voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria a partir de soluções aquosas contendo ácido fosfórico, ácido sulfâmico e anilina. Para a caracterização dos filmes obtidos sobre as superfícies das ligas foram utilizadas as técnicas de espectroscopia de infravermelho, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica. Os ensaios de corrosão foram realizados em meio agressivo ao alumínio, solução aquosa de NaCl 0,6 mol L-1 por medidas de polarização potenciodinâmica. Também foi estudada a nucleação dos filmes de PAni por cronoamperometria sobre as mesmas ligas. A partir da caracterização dos polímeros, os resultados demonstram diferenças estruturais entre os filmes de PAni decorrentes do meio ácido utilizado na eletropolimerização, que influencia na proteção contra corrosão. Estruturalmente os filmes eletropolimerizados em meio de ácido fosfórico são mais porosos em relação ao filme de PAni obtido em meio de ácido sulfâmico. Tanto para os filmes obtidos a partir de soluções aquosas de ácido fosfórico como de ácido sulfâmico ocorreram variações estruturais dos filmes após os ensaios de corrosão. Os parâmetros eletroquímicos extraídos das curvas potenciodinâmicas e das análises de impedância demonstram que os filmes obtidos protegem as ligas estudadas contra corrosão. Considerando-se o filme no estado desdopado, para a liga AA-2014, houve um deslocamento no potencial de corrosão de 61,2 mV para valores mais positivos em relação a liga sem recobrimento. Para as outras ligas esse deslocamento foi de 176,1 mV para a liga AA-2024 e 134,3 mV para a liga 7075, evidenciando assim uma maior proteção contra corrosão. Os estudos de corrosão evidenciam que os filmes de PAni podem ser alternativas viáveis aos outros meios protetores utilizados contra corrosão. / Aluminum is widely used due to its technical and economic advantages, as well as due to its high level of corrosion protection provided by the oxide film formed on the surface of the metal. In the current study deposition of polyaniline (PAni) on three different Al alloys (AA-2014 F, AA-2024 T3 and 7075 O) was studied. The electrodepositions were realized from aqueous solutions of either phosphoric acid or sulphamic acid that contained the aniline monomer, using the techniques of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The films were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). To evaluate the resistance of the films under conditions aggressive to Al, potentiodynamic polarization curves were performed in 0,6 mol L-1 NaCl. The nucleation of the films on the aluminum alloys was also investigated using chronoamperometry. Characterization of the PAni films obtained demonstrates that the use of different acids results in distinct structural characteristics, which influence their corrosion protection properties. Structurally the electro-deposited PAni films are more porous when phosphoric acid is used compared to sulphamic acid. After the corrosion assays structural differences are observed, independent of the acid used in the electrosynthesis. Data obtained from the potentioidynamic polarization curves and the impedance measurements indicate that the films obtained protect the alloys studied against corrosion. Considering the film in the undoped form for the alloy AA-2014 F, there was a positive shift in the corrosion potential of 61.2 mV. For the AA-2024 T3 and 7075 O alloys the shifts were 176.1 and 134.4 mV, respectively, indicating a greater degree of corrosion protection. The present study demonstrates that PAni films are viable alternatives to other protection methods.

O estudo dos polímeros condutores tem sido bastante intensificado nos últimos anos devido a grande aplicabilidade tecnológica que oferecem. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir com esses estudos desenvolvendo sensores de polímeros condutores (PAni e POMA e copolímeros de PAni/POMA), para a determinação de compostos orgânicos (Hidroquinona). Os filmes poliméricos foram obtidos por eletropolimerização pela técnica de voltametria cíclica, técnica esta que foi utilizada para as respostas eletroquímicas da hidroquinona em contato com os filmes. A caracterização estrutural dos filmes foi realizada por espectroscopia no ultravioleta e visível e no infravermelho e a caracterização morfológica por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os filmes de PAni, POMA e PAOMA em meio de HCl com espessuras de 2,82, 1,1 e 0,039 nm respectivamente apresentaram melhor índice de detecção, já os filmes de PAni, POMA e PAOMA eletrossintetizados em meio de H2SO4, apresentaram melhor índice de detecção com espessuras de 1,34, 1,4 e 0,032 nm, respectivamente. / The study of conducting polymers has intensified in recent years due to their wide range of possible technological applications. The present work the objective of contributing to this area by developing sensors that use conducting polymers (PAni and POMA and copolymers of PAni/POMA) for the determination of organic compounds (Hydroquinone). Polymeric films were obtained by cyclic voltammetry (electropolymerization) in different solutions. The films obtained were subsequently characterized electrochemically ? also using cyclic voltammetry. Structural characterization of the films was performed using ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-vis) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) with the morphology studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PAni, POMA and PAOMA films synthesized in HCl presented the best detection indexes at thicknesses of 2.82, 1.10 and 0.039 nm, respectively. The films synthesized in H2SO4 had the best detection indexes at thicknesses of 1.34, 1.40 e 0.032 nm, respectively.

A pesquisa na área de biossensores de glicose tem crescido muito nos últimos anos, devido a sua grande importância no monitoramento contínuo da glicemia em pessoas com diabetes. O estudo da utilização de novos materiais nestes dispositivos, como os polímeros condutores e nanopartículas de ouro, tem sido alvo de extensas pesquisas. Neste trabalho, a polianilina (PAni), um dos polímeros condutores mais estudados, foi sintetizada quimicamente na presença de poli(óxido de etileno) (PEO) e também na presença de PEO e de ácido cloroáurico (HAuCl4), para a formação de nanopartículas de ouro (NPAu). Estes nanocompósitos foram utilizados na fabricação de um biossensor eficiente para glicose, servindo de suporte para a imobilização da enzima glicose oxidase (GOx) e de facilitadores do transporte de elétrons. Os polímeros foram caracterizados por infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia UV-visível, voltametria cíclica e pelo método padrão de 4 pontas. Para a produção dos biossensores, parâmetros como a quantidade de polímero a ser aplicada sobre os eletrodos, a concentração da GOx, o pH do eletrólito de realização dos ensaios eletroquímicos e a quantidade de mediador no eletrólito, foram avaliadas previamente por voltametria cíclica, a fim de encontrar a máxima resposta eletroquímica do biossensor. Além dos ensaios de voltametria cíclica, os biossensores foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica e por cronoamperometria. Através dos ensaios de cronoamperometria foi verificado que o biossensor de PAni-PEO detecta glicose em uma faixa de concentrações de 1 a 10 mM, com sensibilidade de 16,04 μA mM-1 cm-2, e o de PAni-PEO-NPAu, na faixa de 0,1 a 5,5 mM, com sensibilidade de 5,5 e 0,76 μA mM-1 cm-2, nas faixas de concentração de 0,1 a 0,5 e de 1,5 a 5,5 mM, respectivamente. Além disso, ambos os biossensores apresentaram seletividade a interferentes como ácido ascórbico e ácido úrico, confirmando que o sinal gerado nos ensaios eletroquímicos refere-se efetivamente à detecção da glicose. / Research in the area of glucose biosensors has grown tremendously in recent years due to their great importance in continuous glucose monitoring in patients with diabetes. The study of the use of new materials in these devices, such as conductive polymers and gold nanoparticles, has been the subject of extensive research. In this work, polyaniline (PAni), one of the most studied conductive polymers, was chemically synthesized in the presence of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and also in the presence of PEO and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) for the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNP). These nanocomposites were used in the manufacture of an efficient glucose biosensor, serving as support for the immobilization of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) and as electron transport facilitators. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and standard 4-point pobe method. For the production of the biosensors, parameters such as the amount of polymer to be applied on the electrodes, the concentration of GOx, the electrolyte’s pH of the electrochemical tests and the amount of mediator in the electrolyte were previously evaluated by cyclic voltammetry to find the maximum electrochemical response of the biosensor. In addition to the cyclic voltammetry tests, the biosensors were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. Through the chronoamperometry assays, it was verified that PAni-PEO biosensor detected glucose in a range of 1 to 10 mM, with a sensitivity of 16,04 μA mM-1 cm-2 and PAni-PEO-NPAu biosensor, in the range of 0,1 to 5,5 mM, with sensitivity of 5,5 and 0,76 μA mM-1 cm-2 in the 0,1 to 0,5 and 1,5 to 5,5 mM ranges, respectively. In addition, both biosensors presented selectivity to interferents such as ascorbic acid and uric acid, confirming that the signal generated in the electrochemical tests effectively refers to the detection of glucose.

Health monitoring is an important field as small failures can build up and cause a catastrophic failure. Monitoring the health of a structure can be done by measuring the motion of the structure through the use of strain sensors. The limitations of current strain sensing technology; cost, size, form could be improved. This research intends to improve current strain sensing technology by creating a conductive polymer composite that can be used monitor health in structures. Conductive polymer composites are a viable candidate due to the low costs of manufacturing, tailorable mechanical and electrical properties, and uniform microstructure. This work will focus on determining if a all-polymer composite can be used as a strain sensor, and investigating the effects of filler, doping and latex effect the electrical and strain sensing properties. Strain sensors were prepared from polyaniline (PANI)-latex composites, the morphology, mechanical, electrical and strain sensing properties were evaluated. These strain sensors were capable of repeatable measuring strain to 1% and able to measure strain until the substrates failure at 5% strain, with a sensitivity (measured by gauge factor) of between 6-8 (metal foil strain sensors have a gauge factor of 2). The best performing strain sensor consisted of 4 wt.% polyaniline. This composition had the best combination of gauge factor, linearity, and signal stability. Further experiments were conducting to see if improvements could be made by changing the polymer used for the matrix material, the molecular weight and the level of doping of the polyaniline. Results indicate through differences in strain sensing response; lower hysteresis and unrecoverable conductivity, that polyaniline latex composites can be adjusted to further improve their performance. The polyaniline-latex composites were able to repeatable measure strain to 1%, as well as strain until failure and with gauge factor between 6-8, and a 70% increase in signal at failure. These properties make these composites viable candidates to monitor health in structures, buildings, bridges, and damns.