Enhancing multifarious properties of polyaniline nanocomposites through metal oxide incorporation

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were successfully synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization technique. This method significantly enhances the dispersion and interaction of metal oxides (MOs) within the PANI matrix. Detail analysis of the structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties of nanocomposites revealed substantial enhancements. XRD and FTIR results confirmed the successful incorporation of MOs into the PANI matrix, evidenced by the reduction in peak intensities. Morphological studies via FESEM highlighted the impact of MOs on the PANI microstructure, particularly the notable agglomeration of TiO₂. DLS results demonstrated variations in particle size distributions, with SiO₂ and ZnO contributing to reduced particle sizes, while TiO₂ increased the average particle size due to aggregation. Thermal analysis via TGA and DSC revealed enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites compared to pure PANI, with SiO₂/PANI exhibiting the highest stability. Electrical conductivity measurement demonstrated that the SiO₂/PANI nanocomposite exhibited the highest performance, with a conductivity of 0.43 S/cm, attributed to the effective interaction between SiO₂ and PANI which facilitates electron transfer. Electrochemical studies, including Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), further confirmed the superior electrochemical performance of the SiO₂/PANI nanocomposite, showing the highest current response and the lowest charge transfer resistance. These findings highlight the novel synthesis method and the enhanced properties of MO/PANI nanocomposites, presenting significant advancements for advanced technological applications.