Development of polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube (PANI-MWCNT) nanocomposite for optical pH sensor

作者：Kulkarni M V^*; Charhate N A; Bhavsar K V; Tathe M A; Kale B B

来源：Materials Research Innovations, 2013, 17(4): 238-243.

DOI：10.1179/1433075X12Y.0000000048

• Nanocomposite
• Carbon nanotubes
• Polyaniline
• pH sensor

A highly transparent and water soluble nanocomposite of a conducting polymer, polyaniline (PANI) plus multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), was prepared by in situ chemical polymerisation method using sulphonic acid as a dopant. Initially, MWCNTs were functionalised by acid treatment and then dispersed in the monomer, aniline and the resultant MWCNTs coated aniline was polymerised using ammonium per sulphate as an oxidising agent to form PANI-MWCNT nanocomposite. The synthesised nanocomposite was characterised by using spectroscopic (ultraviolet-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), field emission scanning electron microscopy and thermal analyses. The ultraviolet-visible spectrum of the salt phase (dark green) of the PANI-MWCNT nanocomposite shows a free carrier tail with increasing absorption at higher wavelength, which confirms the presence of conducting emeraldine salt phase of the PANI; whereas, the base form (deep blue) of the nanocomposite shows a sharp peak at 600 nm representing insulating pernigraniline phase of the polymer. The synthesised nanocomposite was then demonstrated for optical pH sensing.

• 出版日期2013-8