Cationic surfactant assisted synthesis of poly o-methoxy aniline (PoMA) hollow spheres and their self healing performance

Abstract

Hollow microspheres of poly(o-methoxy aniline) (PoMA) were prepared in a solution of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using ammonium persulfate (APS) as oxidant. The morphology of the final polymers was characterized by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The microspheres are formed by polymer growth on preformed micelles. The presence of CTAB led to microspheres with a very regular size distribution. The polymer hollow spheres thus synthesized were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, TGA and XPS techniques. A study has been made on the corrosion protection performance of mild steel by an epoxy coating containing synthesized PoMA hollow spheres using EIS measurements in 3% NaCl solution. The self-healing ability of the coating was studied by scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET).