Doped Poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) (P(mPD-co-ANI)): Synthesis, Characterization, Physical Properties, and Precursor for CuO Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT Poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) P(mPD-co-ANI) and Mn-, Ni-, and Cu-doped poly(m-phenylenediamine-co-aniline) (M-P(mPD-co-ANI)) have been synthesized and characterized. Cu-P(mPD-co-ANI) has been used as a molecular precursor of CuO nanoparticles. The spectral, optical, refractive index, solubility, and thermal properties of the synthesized polymers have been measured and discussed. The optical bandgap (Eg) measurements indicated that Ni(P(mPD-co-ANI)) has wider optical band than the pure (P(mPD-co-ANI)). Calcination of Cu-P(mPD-co-ANI) at 600°C produced (CuO) nanoparticles. The obtained nanoparticles have been characterized by XRD and TEM. The average size of CuO nanoparticles was found to be 42 nm. The refractive index measurements indicate slight change in the refractive index values of the polymer solution than that of pure solvent. The solubility of the synthesized polymers in ethanol, dimethyl formamide (DMF)–aqueous mixed solvents was found to increase as the mole fractions of both ethanol and DMF increase. The UV spectra of the synthesized polymers in ethanol, DMF–aqueous mixed solvents indicate blueshift and hyperchromic effect. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT