Mixed polymer conductors for control of microwave reflectivity surfaces. Volume I

The preparation and characterisation of polyaniline-silver-polymer electrolyte composite materials are described and their potential application as large area surfaces with microwave reflection/transmission controlled by application of an electric field ('microwave shutters') is investigated. The component polymer electrolyte (largely polyether-silver salt) and the polyaniline-silver salt mixtures have been separately investigated using a range of spectroscopic, microscopic and electrical impedance techniques. The redox behaviour of polyaniline versus silver in various cells incorporating polymer electrolytes have been studied in both ambient and 'dry' nitrogen environments using cyclic voltammetry and square wave potentiometry. It is proposed that the redox behaviour in dry nitrogen conditions involves the formation of leucoemeraldine-Ag+ complex. This promotes the spontaneous reduction of emeraldine salt to leucoemeraldine by silver metal in contrast to the equilibrium status of the system in ambient conditions. In ambient conditions, the emeraldine undergoes an acid-base transition in the presence of silver salt (with(out) elemental silver). Furthermore, X-ray analysis has revealed that it is possible to chemically generate elemental silver after mixing its silver salt with the emeraldine (either salt or base form) in ambient conditions. Discs of various polyaniline-silver-polymer electrolyte compositions have been reported. Significant and rapid changes in microwave reflectivities have been observed. The mechanisms of electrochemical changes within the composites have been discussed and a 'cascade' process for the propagation of the switching effect across the areas of the discs has been proposed. (author)