Influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the structural, thermal, electrical properties, and gas sensing behavior of polyaniline/phenothiazine blend nanocomposites

Abstract

We report the preparation, characterization, and properties of polyaniline (PANI)/ phenothiazine (PTZ) blend with different concentration of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles. Formation of nanocomposites was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis studies. Spectroscopic characterization confirmed the bonding structure of PANI/PTZ/TiO 2 composite through the shift in absorption peaks of nanocomposites compared to pure PANI/PTZ blend. XRD studies confirmed the presence of sharp crystalline peaks of TiO 2 in the blend system signifying good interaction among the adjoining molecular chain of polymer with the nanoparticles. Surface morphological details of the nanocomposites obtained using SEM and HR-TEM reveal the formation of hemispherical-like structures with a diameter of 15 to 30 nm. DSC measurements of these nanocomposites showed that the glass transition temperature was reduced as the concentration of TiO 2 increased into PANI/PTZ blend matrix. The influence of filler loading on thermal stability showed that the TiO 2 enhanced the thermal stability and reduced the rate of thermal degradation of polymer blend nanocomposites. Conductivity studies showed that both AC and DC conductivity, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss increase with an increase in the concentration of nano-filler TiO 2 up to 10 wt%. Similarly, the ammonia gas sensing behavior of nanocomposites was also improved by the addition of nanoparticles. From the characterization studies, it can be suggested that TiO 2 helps to achieve excellent thermophysical properties, gas sensing, electrical conductivity, and dielectric characteristics for PANI/ PTZ blend which can be used in the fabrication of electrical or nano-electronic devices.

Synthesis, characterization, gas sensing, and electrical property evaluation of polyaniline/copper‐alumina nanocomposites

“…The XRD pattern of PANI, CuAl 2 O 3 nanofiller, and its composites at with different loading of nanoparticles are demonstrated in Figure . It can be seen that broad amorphous diffraction peak centered on 2 θ = 25.62° in the XRD curve of PANI is its highly amorphous nature which is in compromise with the literature . The XRD pattern of Cu‐Al 2 O 3 particles shows several crystalline peaks at 2 θ = 25.35 ° , 35.35 ° , 38.67 ° , 43.35 ° , 48.68 ° , 52.50 ° , 57.64 ° , 60.73 ° , 66.09 ° , and 68.39 ° .…”

“…The absorption band at 1306 cm −1 is the characteristic IR band of secondary amine which arises from the C N stretching. All the peaks in the FTIR spectrum of PANI are in compromise with the literature [25] . The FTIR spectrum of CuAl 2 O 3 nanomaterial shows a broad peak at 581 cm −1 and this can be attributed to the metal oxide stretching vibration present in the nanomaterial.…”

“…It can be seen that broad amorphous diffraction peak centered on 2θ = 25.62 in the XRD curve of PANI is its highly amorphous nature which is in compromise with the literature. [25] . By comparing XRD patterns of the composite and PANI, it is confirmed that the some of the crystalline peaks of CuAl 2 O 3 retained in the macromolecular structure of PANI along with a decrease in broadness of the amorphous peak.…”

Structural, Thermal, Optical Characterizations of PANI/PMMA Composite Doped by TiO2 as an Application in Optoelectronic Devices

“…This proves the existence and effective dispersion of nanofiller in the polymer matrix. Yet, the diffraction peaks appearing at 2θ = 25.4° [29], at concentrations ≥ 1.5 wt%, are attributed to TiO2 NPs, which increase (intensity) upon raising TiO2 concentration in the nanocomposites films. In addition, the substantial reduction in the amorphous nature of polymer blend in the relation to nanocomposites films (1.5 wt%), indicate the need for strong interaction to obtain the wanted optical, and thermal characteristics.…”

Effect of ceria nanoparticles on mechanical properties, thermal and dielectric properties of poly (butyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

“…Nanostructured composites, most preferably polymer with metal oxide nanoparticles got considerable remarks in research and industrial fields attributable to their unique properties . These hybrid composites can exhibit the properties of inorganic metal oxide nanoparticle in addition to the usual properties of the polymer matrix and so they represent a new class of materials offering numerous applications in various fields . The most remarkable properties of polymer nanocomposites include better optical properties, thermal stability, and mechanical properties .…”