Effect of low energy Li-negative ions irradiation on electrochemically synthesized Copper nanoflakes/Polyaniline nanofibers composite thin film

Abstract

Multi cathode source of negative ions cesium sputtering unit is used for irradiation of 50 keV Li-negative ions with varying fluences from 5 × 1011 to 5 × 1014 ions/cm2 on polyaniline nanofibers and copper nanoflakes/polyaniline nanofibers composite thin films. The X-ray diffraction pattern of polyaniline nanofibers thin film shows the broad peak at 2θ≈25.36° which is the characteristic peak of polyaniline and the X-ray diffraction pattern of copper nanoflakes/polyaniline nanofibers show a prominent peak at 2θ≈50.66° which confirmed the presence of copper. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the formation of polyaniline thin films with characteristics absorption band at 1438 cm−1 for a benzenoid ring of polyaniline backbone, which shifted slightly after irradiation. Polyaniline nanofibers and copper nanoflakes/polyaniline nanofibers composite thin films confirmed hydrophobic nature and the contact angle changes insignificantly after irradiation. Field emission scanning electron microscope images of polyaniline nanofibers and copper nanoflakes/polyaniline nanofibers composite thin films show the nanofibrous network of the diameters ranging from 50 nm to 60 nm and the copper nanoflakes get deposited uniformly on the polyaniline nanofibers. From the application point of view, this work might provide strong evidence to use negative ion irradiation for creating defects in polyaniline nanofibers and copper nanoflakes/polyaniline nanofibers composite thin films and it would attract wide attention towards their use in sensing, electronic devices, and energy storage device applications.