Synthesis, characterization and non-isothermal degradation kinetics of rose Bengal end capped poly(aniline)/Cr2O3 nanocomposite

Abstract

Solution polymerization of aniline was carried out in the presence of peroxydisulphate as a radical initiator under N2 atmosphere at 0-5 o C for 2 hours both in the presence and absence of Cr2O3(bulk) material under vigorous stirring condition. During the polymerization reaction the rosebengal (RB) dye was added as an end capping agent. The above synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR, UV-visible, fluorescence emission, XPS, XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM, HR-TEM, viscosity and conductivity measurements. The added Cr2O3(bulk) controlled the structure of Poly(aniline) (PANI) and the same can be confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The Tg of Cr2O3 medicated poly(aniline) showed somewhat higher value than the pristine PANI. The XPS showed the presence of Cr3d2p3/2 and Cr3d2p1/2 peaks and this confirmed the nano-sized crystalline Cr2O3. Further, its thermal degradation was studied by non-isothermal degradation kinetics and their thermodynamic parameters were determined. The experimental data was compared with the available literature data. Keywords Synthesis . Characterization . HR-TEM . XPS . Degradation kinetics .