Solid‐state synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/nano‐TiO2composite

Abstract

AbstractPolyaniline/nano‐TiO2composites with the content of nano‐TiO2varying from 6.2 wt % to 24.1 wt % were prepared by using solid‐state synthesis method at room temperature. The structure and morphology of the composites were characterized by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ultraviolet‐visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical performances of the composites were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results from FTIR and UV–vis spectra showed that the composites displayed higher oxidation and doping degree than pure PANI. The XRD and morphological studies revealed that the inclusion of nano‐TiO2particles hampered the crystallization of PANI chains in composites, and the composites exhibited mixed particles from free PANI particles and the nano‐TiO2entrapped PANI particles. The galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements indicated that the PANI/nano‐TiO2composites had higher specific capacitances than PANI. The composite with 6.2 wt % TiO2had the highest specific capacitance among the composites. The further electrochemical tests on the composite electrode with 6.2 wt % TiO2showed that the composite displayed an ideal capacitive behavior and good rate ability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012