Preparation and study of polyaniline-and multiwall-carbon-nanotube-based composite materials

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI)-based composite materials containing 5 to 65 wt % of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MCNT) are prepared. Their electrochemical characteristics are studied, in particular, the effect of the MCNT content in the composite on the composite and PANI specific capacitance. The increase in the composite capacitance, as well as the capacitance of the PANI being part of the composite, varies over the range from 5 to 25 wt %. This MCNT content is optimal for the preparing of a new MCNT-and PANI-based composite material. Over the above-given range, the increase in capacitance and the improving of conductivity are compromised at best. For a set of samples with varying MCNT content, the conductivity curve practically replicates the capacitance curve. The critical conductivity changes fall practically into the same range (5–30 wt %).