Adsorption of poly(3-octylthiophene) nanoparticles on cellulose fibres: Effect ofdispersion stability and fibre pre-treatment with carboxymethyl cellulose

摘要

The impact of miniemulsified poly(3-octylthiophene) (P30T) nanoparticles stability on their adsorptionon softwood cellulose fibres was investigated. Dilution in water of the corresponding cationic nanoparti-cles suspension led to a progressive aggregation attributed to the tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromidesurfactant (TTAB) depletion from the particles surface. In the presence of diluted fibres suspension, aggre-gation occurred in water (solvent) but also at the fibres surface. Such phenomenon was explained by theneutralization of the anionic moieties borne on the fibre surface (carboxylic groups) by the cationic par-ticles and to the onset of attractive interactions among particles. When the dilution factor (or the globalvolume) increased, a less pronounced surface aggregation between particles was attributed to a slowerparticles diffusion rate. Fibres functionalization was improved by increasing their negative charge by apre-treatment with carboxymethyl cellulose. Highly conductive iodine-doped pellets (2-6 x 10~(-4)S/cm)were obtained from treated fibres. Pellets conductivity sharply decreased upon aging, reflecting theprogressive P30T de-doping and/or "over-oxidation" by atmospheric 02.