Synthesis of novel fluorescent molecule and its polymeric form with aniline as fluorescent and supercapacitor electrode materials

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, a fluorescent material, 2‐naphthyl‐4‐amino benzoate, is synthesized by the esterification of 4‐aminobenzoic acid with 2‐naphthol. This molecule is used in the bulk polymerization of aniline, which results in the formation of poly(aniline‐2‐naphthyl‐4‐aminobenzoate). For comparison, polyaniline and also poly(aniline‐4‐aminobenzoic acid) salts are prepared via bulk polymerization. Formation and properties of these polymeric materials are evaluated by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization, UV‐Vis, Fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, electrical resistance and electrochemical techniques. P(ANI‐2NA4ABA) is obtained in nanofiber morphology in 106 wt% yield with respect to the amount of aniline used with comparable conductivity of conventional polyaniline salts. This polymer salt is stable up to 220°C and indicates melting at 146°C on heating and crystal formation at 128°C on cooling. This polymer shows higher wavelength fluorescence compared to the conventional polyaniline salts. This polymer is used as an electrode material without binder, which shows a specific capacitance of 360 F g−1 at 0.25 A g−1.