Structural, morphological and optical properties of PANI/CdSe(S) nanocomposites

Abstract

This paper describes an optical study of PANI/CdSe(S) nanocomposites. The CdSe(S) nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method while PANI and PANI/CdSe were prepared by a chemical oxidative polymerization method using ammonium persulphate as polymerization initiator. The synthesized polymer nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM and UV-Visible Spectroscopy. The FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the presence of CdSe(S) in the polymer matrix; the XRD spectra indicated amorphous nature of pure PANI. On the other hand, the nanocomposite was found to exhibit semi crystalline nature. Surface morphology of CdSe in PANI matrix can be seen through FESEM analysis. UV-Vis spectral studies showed reduction in energy band gap of PANI-CdSe(S) nano-composite as compared to native PANI. The optical data contained absorption and transmission spectra along with the energy band gap. Obtaining a reduced band gap is an indication of increased conductivity which is helpful in designing different electronic devices for sensor applications.