Polyaniline Composites with Nanodiamond, Carbon nanotube and Silver Nanoparticle: Preparation and Properties

Nanodiamond (ND), functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and silver nanoparticle were reinforced in polyaniline (PANI) matrix using simple emulsion polymerization method. In this way, different nanocomposites were obtained including polyaniline/nanodiamond/non-functional nanotube (PANI/ND/MWCNT), polyaniline/ nanodiamond/functional nanotube (PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH), and polyaniline/nanodiamond/functional nanotube/silver nanoparticle (PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH/Ag 1 2). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopey (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the composite structure and presence of silver nanoparticle. Morphology study (scanning electron microscopy) of the PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH/Ag exhibited uniform polymerization of aniline monomer over the surface of well-dispersed MWCNT-COOH/ND and silver nanoparticles. The recompenses of Ag nanoparticle comprise the improvement in electrical and thermal properties without deteriorating polyaniline structure. The electrical conductivity of PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH/Ag 2 nanocomposite with greater Ag nanoparticle content was 39 % higher than the same weight percent nanocomposite without Ag. The PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH/Ag 1 nanocomposite also showed continuous increase in electrical conductivity over a range of temperature. Thermal stability was also noticeably increased in PANI/ND/MWCNT-COOH/Ag 2 nanocomposite through the incorporation of the Ag nanoparticles