Abstract: Preparation of conductive polymers, particularly polyanilines having good solubility in organic solvents and high electrical conductivity, by providing a mixture of aniline, dianiline and a flexible diamine such as 1,3-bis (3-aminophenoxy)benzene or triethylene tetramine. The mixture is reacted in the presence of an oxidant such as ammonium persulfate and a protonic (Bronsted) acid, e.g. tosic acid, to polymerize the mixture and form a conductive polyaniline in which the conjugation is interrupted by an intermediate diamine group, and which renders the resulting polymer more flexible than polyaniline per se. The conductive polymer so produced also has terminal primary amino groups which aid solubility and which are further reactive. The conductive polyaniline product of the invention can be blended with non-conductive resins such as polyimides to provide cured conductive resin blends having good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Process for producing conductive polyaniline of controlled molecular weight by providing a mixture of aniline and dianiline in predetermined proportions dependent on the desired molecular weight of polyaniline to be formed. The mixture is reacted in the presence of an oxidant such as ammonium persulfate and a protonic (Bronsted) acid such as tosylic acid, to polymerize the mixture of aniline and dianiline, and forming conductive polyaniline of the desired molecular weight. Soluble conductive polyanilines having an average molecular weight not higher than about 600,000 (by gel permeation chromatography versus polystyrene in N-methyl pyrrolidone) can be obtained. Using about 6 to about 18 mols of aniline per mol of dianiline, according to one mode of procedure, conductive polyaniline having an average molecular weight ranging from about 150,000 to about 600,000 can be obtained.

Abstract: Solution blending of (a) a conductive polymer containing carbon-nitrogen linkages, such as polyaniline, having an organic group or an inorganic group, e.g., derived from an anhydride or an aromatic multisulfonic acid, covalently linked to nitrogen atoms of the polymer and (b) a malemide, particularly a bismalemide, e.g., the bismaleimide prepared by reacting 1,3 bis (3 aminophenoxybenzene) with 2 units of maleic anhydride, or a bismaleimide terminated oligomer, in a suitable solvent. On removal of solvent and heating to cure the bismaleimide, a continuous phase blend of the conductive polymer and the bismaleimide is formed, having good electrical conductivity and strength. The solution blend can be applied as a coating on a substrate or can be processed to a powder which can be compressed into parts. The conductive blend can be melted and cured without the evolution of volatiles.

Abstract: Production of base-type conductive polymers, particularly from the family of conductive polyaniline, by reacting a base-type non-conductive polymer containing carbon-nitrogen linkages, e.g., polyaniline, with a multiprotic acid in the form of an aromatic multisulfonic acid, such as m-benzene disulfonic acid, and forming an electrically conductive polymer having high thermal stability at elevated temperature, e.g., 180.degree. C. in air.

Abstract: A conductive polymer blend which comprises mixing a polyimide with a base-type polymer containing carbon-nitrogen linkages, such as polyaniline, having a polyimide-like group covalently linked to nitrogen atoms of the base-type polymer. The conductive polymer blend is formed by first reacting a base-type non-conductive polymer containing carbon-nitrogen linkages, such as polyaniline, with a carbonyl anhydride, such as 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, to form a conductive polymer containing polyimide-like groups covalently linked to nitrogen atoms of the base-type polymer, mixing such conductive polymer with non-conductive polyimide in a suitable solvent, removing the solvent, and forming a conductive continuous phase blend of the polyimide and the conductive polymer.

Abstract: Production of base-type conductive polymers, particularly from the family of conductive polyaniline, by reacting a base-type non-conductive polymer containing carbon-nitrogen linkages, e.g., polyaniline, with an anhydride, such as R--SO.sub.2 --O--SO.sub.2 --R', R--CO--O--CO--R', or R--CO--O--SO.sub.2 R', or mixtures thereof, where R and R' are alkyl or aryl, e.g., tosylic anhydride or benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and forming an electrically conductive polymer in which the SO.sub.2 R and COR groups are covalently linked to the nitrogen atoms of the conductive polymer and the anion of the conductive polymer is the SO.sub.3 R' or O.sub.2 CR' group.