Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/TiO2 composites

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of polyaniline (PANI)/TiO₂ polymer composites have been studied. The synthesis method is based on chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline added with various weight % of TiO₂ in the presence of ammonium persulphate as an oxidant. The results of XRD confirm the presence of TiO₂ in the composites. The FTIR shows systematic shifting of the characteristic bands of PANI with the increase in content of TiO_2. The SEM images revealed uniform distribution of TiO₂ particles in the PANI matrix. The evaluation of the dynamical parameters for PANI/TiO₂ composites using technique such as TGA has been reported. The thermal stability of composites increases with the increase in TiO₂ weight %. Although PANI/TiO₂ composites show lower dc electrical conductivity as compared to PANI and the conductivity decreases with increasing content of TiO₂, but they show a higher thermal stability than that of PANI. Further, the dc electrical conductivity is observed to increase with the increase in temperature. This work opens new perspectives for the use of PANI/TiO₂ composites as a conducting material at high temperatures.