Abstract: A process for forming polymer films through electrochemical techniques utilizing electrolytes which include conductive polymer. The resulting polymer films are electrically conductive and corrosion and wear resistant. Poyamino-benzene (polyaniline), for example, undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition upon doping with protonic acids in an acid/base-type reaction. Composite polymer-aluminum oxide films may be formed by modifying the anodizing electrolyte, resulting in the codeposition of polyaniline during aluminum anodization. A nonprotonated, ring-sulfonated aluminum salt of polyaniline was determined to be the reaction product within the aluminum oxide phase of the codeposited films. A second process, which incorporates electrochemical sealing of the anodic layer with polyaniline, was also developed.The formation of these composite films is documented through experimental processing, and characterized through scientific analysis and engineering tests.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 9, 1999
Assignee:
Jude Runge-Marchese
Inventors:
Jude Mary Runge-Marchese, Michael McNallan