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a) b - École Polytechnique de Montréal

a) b - École Polytechnique de Montréal

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On the other hand, a novel tri-continuous structure <strong>de</strong>rived from HDPE/PS/PMMA double-<br />

percolated morphology was reported, with a percolation threshold of PS as low as 3%(Zhang, et<br />

al., 2007). Though this mo<strong>de</strong>l is not usable for PANI due to its high surface tension and polarity,<br />

a similar way is sought to spread the PANI phase throughout the blend.<br />

Since the conductivity of the blend <strong>de</strong>pends on the volume fraction of the conductive phase and<br />

its morphology, the conductivity value of a sample can be controlled by manipulating the<br />

structure of PANI and its possible pathways in the blend. As discussed, it is very important to<br />

obtain a material with the exact <strong>de</strong>sired conductivity value for special applications. Also, it is<br />

important to prepare samples in 3D bulk and porous structures. Most of the other preparation<br />

techniques produce 2D samples.<br />

The main objective of this work is <strong>de</strong>veloping novel and complex morphologies for the<br />

preparation of highly controllable 3D conductive materials. The study will also analyse the<br />

relationship between control of the multi-component blend morphology and reduction of the<br />

percolation threshold of the conductive phase.<br />

1.2.1 Specific objectives:<br />

• Un<strong>de</strong>rstand and <strong>de</strong>velop the morphology of ternary, quaternary, and quinary polymer<br />

blends with complete wetting structure;<br />

• Study the <strong>de</strong>velopment of multi-percolated (double, triple,…) morphologies to obtain the<br />

lowest possible continuity and conductivity percolation threshold in ternary, quaternary, and<br />

quinary polymer blends;<br />

• Evaluate the potential of both melt-blending/solvent extraction/LbL and multi-processing<br />

techniques to reduce the conductivity percolation threshold of a conductive polymer with high<br />

surface tension and polarity;<br />

• Study the effect of interfacial modifier on the continuity and conductivity of multipercolated<br />

morphology in quaternary blends;<br />

7

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