Solvothermal synthesis of a polyaniline nanocomposite - a prospective biosensor electrode material

Polyaniline (PANI) is the most important conducting polymer with excellent electrochemical properties. So PANI-based biosensors may find wide applications in medical diagnostics. We report here a ternary nanocomposite of gold nanoparticle- decorated single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) embedded in sulfonated polyaniline matrix, prepared using a simple solvothermal chemical route. The structural and morphological characteristics have been determined by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Optical characteristics of the nanocomposite have been determined by ultraviolet (UV)-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The direct current (DC)-conductivity measurement of the material shows a significant increase in electrical conductivity at 353 K from 7.80.10(-2) S/m for pure SPANI to 10.91 S/m for the 3-phase nanocomposite as synthesized in the present investigations. Thus the incorporation of SWCNT/Au nanohybrid fibers in the PANI matrix enhanced its electrical properties. Sulfonation increased the process-ability of the material, as the samples have now been found to be soluble in water and common organic solvents like DMSO. Such a functional nanocomposite will make an excellent biosensor electrode material