Synthesis of New Polyaniline/Nanotube Composites Using Ultrasonically Initiated Emulsion Polymerization

Ultrasonically initiated, in situ emulsion polymerization was used to prepare multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composites (MWNTs/PANI). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the nanotubes were coated with a PANI layer, with the thickness of this coating varying with the content o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemistry of materials 2006-12, Vol.18 (26), p.6258-6265
Main Authors: Ginic-Markovic, Milena, Matisons, Janis G., Cervini, Raoul, Simon, George P., Fredericks, Peter M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Ultrasonically initiated, in situ emulsion polymerization was used to prepare multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composites (MWNTs/PANI). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the nanotubes were coated with a PANI layer, with the thickness of this coating varying with the content of carbon nanotubes and polymerization conditions. Whereas polyaniline/carbon nanotube composite particles prepared by the conventional stirring method have a highly structured, nodular morphology, ultrasonic initiation leads to long, thin, polymer-wrapped tubes. In the case of ultrasonically initiated in situ emulsion polymerization, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra suggested that site-selective interactions between the quinoid ring of the PANI and the MWNTs facilitate charge-transfer between the two components. In such composites, CNT improved the polymer properties, such as thermal stability, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis and conductivity measured using the four-probe method.
ISSN:0897-4756
1520-5002
DOI:10.1021/cm061344c