Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri

Bio: Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri is an academic researcher from University of Pennsylvania. The author has contributed to research in topics: Polyaniline & Dielectric. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 14 publications receiving 1133 citations. Previous affiliations of Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri include Westport Innovations.

Electrochemical Characteristics of “Polyaniline” Cathodes and Anodes in Aqueous Electrolytes

Abstract: The quinoid-benzenoid-diimine form, (=(C6H4)=N-(C6H4)-N=)x of “polyaniline” shows excellent cathode characteristics including recyclability when used in conjunction with a zinc anode in an aqueous electrolyte of (l. 0M ZnCl2 + 0. 5M NH4Cl) having a pH of ∼ 4. The reduced form of this material, (-(C6H4)-N(H)-(C6H4)-N(H)-)x can be used as an anode in conjunction with a Pb02 cathode in an aqueous 0.5M Pb(BF4)2 electrolyte.

Polyaniline: Synthesis and Characterization of the Emeraldine Oxidation State by Elemental Analysis

Abstract: Detailed experimental procedures are given for the chemical synthesis from aniline of analytically pure emeraldine hydrochloride, a highly conducting polymer derived from the emeraldine oxidation state of polyaniline, which contains equal numbers of oxidized and reduced repeat units, the non-protonated base form of which has the composition,. In the as-synthesized polymer, ∼ 42% of the nitrogen atoms are protonated i.e. “doped”. Treatment of this material with 1.0M aqueous HCl gives by elemental analysis, the most highly conducting (metallic) form of the emeraldine oxidation state of polyaniline in which 50% of the nitrogen atoms are protonated. Experimental details are given for converting the as-formed emeraldine hydrochloride to analytically pure emeraldine base. The conductivities of samples of emeraldine base protonated by aqueous HCl to various extents as determined by elemental analysis are reported. Electrochemical studies involving the emeraldine base are consistent with its having a composition very close to the proposed composition involving equal numbers of oxidized and reduced repeat units.

Physical Characterization of Some Polyaniline, (øN)x

Abstract: Polyaniline, (4oSN) is found to exhibit a low energy absorption edge beginning near 1800 cm−1 (ca: 0.22 eV), and a strong anion-induced absorption from about 800 to 1200 cm−1. Electrical conductivity has an activation energy of 0.05 (15%) eV consistent with an anion-induced energy gap of about 0.1 eV.

Polyaniline: Protonic Acid Doping to the Metallic Regime

Abstract: “Polyaniline” has been synthesized in various forms both chemically and electrochemically in aqueous media. The quinoid-benzenoid-diimine form, an insulator, is doped by dilute aqueous protonic acids to the metallic regime ([sgrave] ∼ 5 ohm−1cm−1; compressed pellet) to give the corresponding iminium salt. The polymer is not oxidized during the doping process. This represents a new type of p-doping phenomenon in a conducting polymer. Both these forms of polyaniline are stable in the presence of air and/ or water. The doping process is reversed by treatment with aqueous alkali. The mechanism by which doping occurs is discussed.

"Synthetic Metals": A Novel Role for Organic Polymers (Nobel Lecture).

Abstract: Since the initial discovery in 1977, that polyacetylene (CH)(x), now commonly known as the prototype conducting polymer, could be p- or n-doped either chemically or electrochemically to the metallic state, the development of the field of conducting polymers has continued to accelerate at an unexpectedly rapid rate and a variety of other conducting polymers and their derivatives have been discovered. Other types of doping are also possible, such as "photo-doping" and "charge-injection doping" in which no counter dopant ion is involved. One exciting challenge is the development of low-cost disposable plastic/paper electronic devices. Conventional inorganic conductors, such as metals, and semiconductors, such as silicon, commonly require multiple etching and lithographic steps in fabricating them for use in electronic devices. The number of processing and etching steps involved limits the minimum price. On the other hand, conducting polymers combine many advantages of plastics, for example, flexibility and processing from solution, with the additional advantage of conductivity in the metallic or semiconducting regimes; however, the lack of simple methods to obtain inexpensive conductive polymer shapes/patterns limit many applications. Herein is described a novel, simple, and cheap method to prepare patterns of conducting polymers by a process which we term, "Line Patterning".

Electrochemically Active Polymers for Rechargeable Batteries.

Abstract: Electrochemical energy storage systems (batteries) have a tremendous role in technical applications In this review the authors examine the prospects of electroactive polymers in view of the properties required for such batteries Conducting organic polymers are considered here in the light of their rugged chemical environment: organic solvents, acids, and alkalis The goal of the present article is to provide, first of all in tabular form, a survey of electroactive polymers in view of potential applications in rechargeable batteries It reviews the preparative methods and the electrochemical performance of polymers as rechargeable battery electrodes The theoretical values of specific charge of the polymers are comparable to those of metal oxide electrodes, but are not as high as those of most of the metal electrodes normally used in batteries Therefore, it is an advantage in conventional battery designs to use the conducting polymer as a positive electrode material in combination with a negative electrode such as Li, Na, Mg, Zn, MeH{sub x}, etc 504 refs