Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline/Wood and Polyaniline/Carbon Composites

Abstract

Conducting polymers have shown many applications in the field of nanoscience, nanotechnology and nuclear science. Polyaniline (PANI) is the most studied conducting polymer due to its environmental stability, easy availability of its raw materials, and simple synthesis. We have synthesized polyaniline and two of its Conducting composites i.e., polyaniline-carbon and polyaniline-wood in acidic medium (HCI) using K2Cr2O7 as oxidizing agent. All samples were characterized by FTIR and four-probe d.c. conductivity methods. The synthesis was carried out at two different temperatures (0 °C and -5 °C) and it was found that the yield and conductivity were maximum at lower temperature (-5 °C). The polyaniline-carbon composites showed enhanced conductivity whereas polyaniline-wood composites showed reduced conductivity when compared with the conductivity of pure polyaniline.