Electrospun Polyaniline-Based Composite Nanofibers: Tuning the Electrical Conductivity by Tailoring the Structure of Thiol-Protected Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract

Composite nanofibers made of a polyaniline-based polymer blend and different thiol-capped metal nanoparticles were prepared using ex situ synthesis and electrospinning technique. The effects of the nanoparticle composition and chemical structure on the electrical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. This study confirmed that Brust's procedure is an effective method for the synthesis of sub-10 nm silver, gold, and silver-gold alloy nanoparticles protected with different types of thiols. Electron microscopy results demonstrated that electrospinning is a valuable technique for the production of composite nanofibers with similar morphology and revealed that nanofillers are well-dispersed into the polymer matrix. X-ray diffraction tests proved the lack of a significant influence of the nanoparticle chemical structure on the polyaniline chain arrangement. However, the introduction of conductive nanofillers in the polymer matrix influences the charge transport noticeably improving electrical conductivity. The enhancement of electrical properties is mediated by the nanoparticle capping layer structure. The metal nanoparticle core composition is a key parameter, which exerted a significant influence on the conductivity of the nanocomposites. These results prove that the proposed method can be used to tune the electrical properties of nanocomposites.

Effect of polyaniline content and protonating dopants on electroconductive composites

“…Conductive composites, due to their ability to be used as a building material, can be applied in electronic devices, such as batteries, capacitors, and photovoltaic cells. Assembly by electrospinning using conductive composites allows the production of elements for the construction of photonic devices, among others 3 , 4 .…”

Electrospun Silver Nanoparticles-Embedded Feather Keratin/Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Poly(ethylene oxide) Antibacterial Composite Nanofibers

“…In addition, the incorporation of AgNPs acted as conductive nanofillers in the polymer matrix improves conductivity of the spinning solution. Thus, more charge density in the solution increases the columbic forces and stretching of the solution during the electrospinning process, resulting in the preparation of nanofibers with smaller diameter [30,31].…”

A facile synthesis of novel polyaniline/graphene nanocomposite thin films for enzyme-free electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide

“…Oxidative polymerization is the simplest technique for preparing the PANI polymer in which aniline, hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, and ammonia persulfate are employed as a precursor, dopant, and oxidising agent, respectively. 9 Numerous physical and chemical methods such as electrospinning, 10 spin coating, 11 drop-casting, 12 3D inkjet printing, 13 layer by layer self-assembly, 14 nanopatterning, 15 etc. have been used for the deposition of PANI over solid substrates.…”

“…In addition, composite PANI-based polymers in association with metal nanoparticles have been used for preparing conductive nanofibers using the electrospinning technique. Pierini et al 10 investigated the influence of the electrical conductivity of nanofibers in different weight proportions of PANI and metallic nanoparticles (gold and silver) by the electrospinning technique. The obtained results showed that the presence of PANI in the conductive ink was able to manufacture conductive nanofibers.…”