a) b - École Polytechnique de Montréal

four-point probe increases continuously with addition of layers until a saturation plateau is
reached around the 13 th bilayer or 25 th layer.
The principal objective of this work is to prepare a novel 3D porous polymeric conductive
device, prepared via the LbL deposition of a conductive polyelectrolyte onto a 3D substrate of
fully interconnected porosity generated from a co-continuous polymer blend. The work will
involve the preparation of the blends and control of the phase size. Annealing of the cocontinuous
structure, followed by extraction of the porogen phases will be examined with a view
to generating an ultra-low surface area, yet fully interconnected, porous material. Layer-by-layer
adsorption of PSS/PANI onto the internal surface of the porous device will be carried out and
details such as the growth rate and rate of adsorption and desorption of the polyelectrolytes will
be examined. Finally the conductivity will be measured in order to examine the potential of the
developed devices.
5.3 Experimental Methods
5.3.1 Materials
Commercial homopolymers were used in this study to prepare the conductive substrate.
Poly(methyl-methacrylate) powder of Mw=12000 was obtained from Aldrich. High-density
polyethylene, HDPE with a molecular weight of Mw=79000 was obtained from Petromont and
polystyrene, PS with Mw=290000 was purchased from Dow Chemical. Polyvinylidene fluoride
was obtained from Arkema. The polyelectrolytes used were polyaniline with Mw=20000 supplied
by Aldrich as a polycation and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), Mw=70000 purchased from
Sigma-Aldrich as polyanion. Densities in the melt states were determined via a fully automated
PVT(pressure-volume-temperature) equipment supplied by Thermoelectron. Volume variation at
controlled temperatures and pressures were determined. Some of the characteristic properties of
the homopolymers are reported in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1. Characteristic Properties of Homopolymers
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