MnO2/Cr2O3/PANI nanocomposites prepared by in situ oxidation polymerization method: Optical and electrical behaviors

Abstract

ABSTRACTMetal oxide–polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite with spherical morphologies were prepared in a one‐pot oxidation–reduction method via various salts as reactive oxidants. Aniline monomers polymerize as a shell on the surface of one‐pot prepared metal oxides, when the aqueous solutions of aniline, a free‐radical oxidant, and/or a metallic salt were exposed together. The particle size and morphology of as‐prepared narrowly dispersed PANI nanocomposites were revealed by field emission scanning electron microscope images. Fourier transform infrared spectra of nanocomposites indicate that the PANI exists in the emeraldine form. The ultraviolet–visible analysis not only shows PANI is in the emeraldine form, but also indicates modified optical properties of PANI in the composite form. The hypsochromic shift of the n–π* and polaron transitions of PANI reveals the incorporation of PANI by metal oxides. The direct current (dc) electrical conductivity (σ) of as‐prepared nanocomposites was measured by a four‐probe method in the room temperature. Compared to PANI nanoparticles, the electrical conductivity of the composites increased with the presence of metal oxides in the nanocomposites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47219.