The interpolymeric complex was formed between PHBSA doped PANi and PCL. PHBSA, the dopant, serves as a bifunctional linker between PANi backbone and the carbonyl functional group of PCL. This bifunctional linker induces a charge carrier complex between doped PANi and PCL by establishing hydrogen bonding between the two molecules.

When doped PANi is blended with an insulating matrix (PCL), the interacting forces between doped PANi and the matrix influence the final property of the interpolymeric blend system. This system was studied using UV-vis spectroscopy, x-rays diffraction spectroscopy, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and optical microscopy. UV-vis spectroscopy provided evidence of a direct interaction between doped PANi and PCL by the appearance of a new set of peaks between 550 and 610 nm, accompanied by a shift of these peaks as PANi's weight percentage composition increases. FTIR did not show evidence of an interpolymer interaction since there was no change in the 1724 cm^-1 peak. X-rays diffraction spectroscopy and DSC showed that the addition of PANi to PCL did not alter PCL's crystal lattice configuration since the d-spacing (as shown by x-ray diffraction spectroscopy) and the melting points (as shown by DSC) did change significantly as the PANi/PCL ratio changes when compared to those of pure PCL.

Interpolymer interactions through the use of a bifunctional linker, as indicated by UV-vis spectroscopy, may be possible only in solution form due to possible conformational change of the polymers, PHBSA ions, and electrical charges. An interaction in the solid phase may not be possible since FTIR, performed in with the blend in the solid phase, did not yield signs of an interaction between doped PANi and PCL.

All the goals established in this project were accomplished. UV-vis spectroscopy provides evidence of interpolymer interaction and DSC and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy shows there is no change in PCL's crystalline structure in the blend system. Conductivity of the blends increased by a factor of more than 10 S/cm with the addition of only 5 wt% PANi. Therefore, the blends still maintain the relatively high conductivity of doped PANi while possessing the mechanical properties of PCL as evident by similar d-spacings and melting points when compared to pure PCL. Thus, this project was successfully completed.