Gamma and electron dose response of the electrical conductivity of polyaniline based polymer composites

Conducting polymers, also known as ‘‘synthetic metals’’, have been the subject of wide-spread investigations over the past decade due to their very promising characteristics. It was published earlier that the electrical conductivity of polyaniline (PANI) based polymer composites increases to a significant extent when irradiated to gamma, electron or UV radiation. The aim of the present study was to determine the dose response of PANI samples blended with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and chlorinated poly(propylene) (PPCl) by measuring the high frequency conductance of these blends irradiated to different doses. In order to find the most suitable composition of these blends the concentration of both the PPCl and PVC, and the PANI base were changed, respectively. These samples were then gamma irradiated and the induced electrical conductivity was measured in the frequency range of 1 kHz–1MHz in order to find the most sensitive evaluation conditions. After selecting both, the most suitable measuring conditions as well as the blend compositions, the dose response of the samples was determined in the dose range of 10–250 kGy. With respect to potential dosimetry application the effects of electron irradiation, irradiation temperature and the stability of the irradiated samples have also been investigated. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.