Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/carbon nanotube composites

S. Ghatak, G. Chakraborty, A. K. Meikap, T. Woods, R. Babu, W. J. Blau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) containing different carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by in situ polymerization is reported in this study. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy were used to determine the change in structure of the polymer/CNT composites. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the composites had better thermal stability than the pure PANI. Photoluminescence spectra showed a blueshift in the PANI-single-walled nanotube (SWNT) composite. Low-temperature (77-300 K) electrical transport properties were measured in the absence and presence of a magnetic field up to 1 T. Direct-current conductivity exhibited a nonohmic, three-dimensional variable range hopping mechanism. The room-temperature magnetoconductivity of all of the investigated samples except the PANI-SWNT composite were negative; however, it was positive for the PANI-SWNT composite, and its magnitude decreased with increasing temperature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1016-1025
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume119
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jan 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • charge transport
  • conducting polymers
  • nanocomposites

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