Poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine)/MWCNT nanocomposites via in situ microemulsion: synthesis and characterization

Electrically conducting copolymer poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine) and carboxylic acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (c-MWCNT) nancomposites were prepared via in situ emulsion polymerization using sodium dodecyl sulfate as an emulsifier and potassium persulfate as an oxidant. STEM and FESEM analyses showed that a tubular layer of coated copolymer film of several nanometer thicknesses was present on the c-MWCNT's surface. FT-IR spectra were endorsed the formation of nanocomposites. UV-visible absorption spectra of the diluted colloidal dispersion of nanocomposites were similar to those of the bare copolymer. Thermal stability of nanocomposites was improved by the addition of c-MWCNTs. XRD patterns of the nanocomposite samples had more crystalline nature than the bare copolymer. As the content of c-MWCNTs was increased, the electrical conductivity was increased by a charge transport function from the intrinsic electrical conductivity of MWCNTs and the formation of a highly ordered dense structure of copolymer molecules on the surface of c-MWCNTs.