Conducting polyaniline based rubber nanocomposites – Synthesis and characterization studies

Abstract

Dielectric polymer nanocomposites are extensively used in electronics and power systems due to their high breakdown strength, resilience and their capability to adapt any desired shape, moreover conducting flexible nanocomposites based on rubber is a promising material for electromagnetic wave shielding and dielectric materials. The prime objective of the study was to synthesize polyaniline (PAni) in a modest and cost-effective way, its characterization and composite preparation based on this synthesized PAni. The prepared PAni was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X Ray Diffraction (XRD) to authorize the formation and particle magnitude. PAni was inserted into natural rubber matrix using conventional method of mixing at different proportions. The selection of natural rubber as matrix was mainly due to its superior flexibility, resilience and elasticity. Conductivity increases fivefold upon the addition of 20% PAni to rubber matrix. The dielectric properties were studied at the desired frequency range. Dielectric studies show that permittivity as well as tan delta values increases with filler loading.