Conductive surface coating based on modified and unmodified particles and method of preparation thereof

A method of preparing an electrically conductive coating mixture, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a mixture including an aqueous suspension, the mixture comprising:
• one or more of filler particles and pigment particles;
• monomers;
• an oxidant;
• and
• an organic dopant;
• polymerizing the monomer in the presence of the organic dopant to form an electrically conductive polymer on the surface of the particles to produce encapsulated particles having the organic dopant incorporated therein;
• separating the encapsulated particles;
• washing the encapsulated particles;
• mixing the encapsulated particles with non-encapsulated filler particles and/or pigment particles in an aqueous suspension to form the electrically conductive coating mixture;
• and
• decreasing the viscosity of the electrically conductive coating mixture by adding a viscosity control additive comprising one or more of sodium bicarbonate and a weak alkali;
• wherein the viscosity control additive is provided in an amount such that the pH of the electrically conductive coating mixture is between 3.5 and 8;
• and
• wherein the viscosity control additive is provided in an amount such that the Brookfield viscosity of the electrically conductive coating mixture is less than 4000 mPa·s and greater than 310 mPa·s.