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a) b - École Polytechnique de Montréal

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5.3.8.2 Focused Ion Beam and Atomic Force Microscopy<br />

Cryomicrotoming of the specimens using a glass knife was carried out in or<strong>de</strong>r to obtain a<br />

perfectly flat surface for subsequent morphology observation. The samples were coated with a<br />

gold-palladium alloy. The surface of the samples was then treated and etched using a Hitachi<br />

focused ion beam FIB-2000A operated at 30 keV gallium beam. Further <strong>de</strong>tails of the FIB<br />

preparation are given in Virgilio et al(Virgilio, et al., 2005a).<br />

Finally, the topography of the sample surface was analyzed by tapping mo<strong>de</strong> AFM using a<br />

Dimension 3100 scanning probe microscope equipped with a Nanoscope IIIa control module.<br />

5.3.8.3 Conductivity Measurements<br />

DC electrical measurements were performed through the vertical thickness of the substrate at<br />

ambient temperature using a Keithley electrometer mo<strong>de</strong>l 6517 working at a voltage range of 0-<br />

1000V and ammeter range of 0-20mA. In-house software was used to convert the data to<br />

conductance. In or<strong>de</strong>r to standardize the pressure for all samples, a 5 lb and 10 lb load was<br />

applied on the sample hol<strong>de</strong>rs. Cylindrical specimens with a thickness of 1mm and a radius of<br />

1.25cm were compression moul<strong>de</strong>d and then electrical tests were performed un<strong>de</strong>r dry air.<br />

Although the top and bottom surfaces of the samples are flat, good contact of the sample surface<br />

and electro<strong>de</strong>s was further ensured by using two graphite sheets which covered the surfaces of<br />

the samples.<br />

5.4 Results and Discussion<br />

5.4.1 Multiple-Percolated Morphology with Large Continuous Domain<br />

Phases<br />

Since one of the principal objectives of this work is to <strong>de</strong>termine the lowest possible percolation<br />

threshold for PANI in a 3D porous polymer conducting <strong>de</strong>vice (PPCD), it was necessary to first<br />

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