Fabrication of Vertical Array CNTs/Polyaniline Composite Membranes by Microwave-Assisted In Situ Polymerization

Abstract

A vertical array carbon nanotubes (VACNTs)/polyaniline (PANi) composite membrane was prepared by microwave-assisted in situ polymerization. With microwave assistance, the morphology of PANi revealed a smaller diameter and denser connection. Meanwhile, thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability of microwave-assisted PANi for higher molecular weight. Focused ion beam thinning method was used to cut the VACNTs/PANi membrane into dozen-nanometer thin strips along the cross-sectional direction, and transmission electron microscopy observation showed seamless deposition of PANi between VACNT gaps, without damaging the vertical status of CNTs. Meanwhile, stronger conjugate interaction between the quinoid ring of PANi and VACNTs of the composite membrane were prompted by microwave-assisted in situ polymerization. By using nanoindentation technology, the VACNTs/PANi composite membrane showed exponential increasing of modulus and hardness. Meanwhile, the elasticity was also improved, which was proved by the calculated plastic index. The results can provide helpful guidance for seamlessly infiltrating matrix into CNT array and also demonstrate the importance of structural hierarchy for getting proper behavior of nanostructures.

Exploration on the microwave‐assisted synthesis and formation mechanism of polyaniline nanostructures synthesized in different hydrochloric acid concentrations

“…To explain the color changes, the obtained PANIs were measured using FTIR, as shown in Figure (b). FTIR spectrum agreed well with previously reported spectra for PANI . The characteristic absorption bands of PANI, such as the peaks around 1582, 1509, 1299, 1240, 1146, and 821 cm −1 , corresponded to the CC stretching vibrations of the quinoid structure (NQN), benzenoid structure (BNH BNH), the CN stretching of secondary and aromatic BBB unit, CN stretching, vibration mode NQN (or the aromatic CH in‐plane bending), and aromatic CH out‐of‐plane bending (Table ), respectively.…”

“…As a typical inherent conducting polymer, polyaniline (PANI) has become the focus of numerous investigations due to its unique characteristics, including modifiable electrical conductivity, facile rapid synthesis, flash welding, good environmental stability, and low cost . In recent years, numerous potential applications for PANI have been developed for the fabrication of separation membranes, gas sensing, capacitors, and electronic devices . Nanostructured PANIs (including nanotubes, nanorods, nanofibers, nanosheets, nanoflowers, and nanospheres) could exhibit unique properties because of its diverse morphology and nanoscale.…”

Development of Self-Assembled Nanoribbon Bound Peptide-Polyaniline Composite Scaffolds and Their Interactions with Neural Cortical Cells

“…Additionally, the force-curves also showed significant changes upon binding with PANI ( Figure 8 c,d). These results are consistent with previous nanoindentation studies, where it has been demonstrated that when PANI was deposited on vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the Young’s Modulus value dramatically increased due to strong electrostatic and π–π stacking interactions with CNTs [ 72 ]. It is expected that similar interactions occur between the biocomposite and PANI that leads to a higher YM.…”

Cauliflower‐shaped ternary nanocomposites with enhanced power and energy density for supercapacitors

“…Likewise, for PPY, the corresponding peaks C—H in‐plane bending are observed at 1055, 1044, 1053, 1055, and 1055 cm −1 for nanocomposites C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5. This is attributed to the presence of strong π‐π interactions between aromatic moieties of CPs and rGO …”

“…This is attributed to the presence of strong π-π interactions between aromatic moieties of CPs and rGO. [32][33][34] As the basic principle behind X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is that when the high energy X-rays hits the sample, the electromagnetic radiation interacts with the electrons bounded in the sample atoms. This interaction leads to the transition of the core electrons to the high energy vacant shells or unbounded shells called continuum states to produce the photoelectron.…”