Synthesis and Investigations of Structural, Optical and AC Conductivity Properties of PANI/CeO2 Nanocomposites

Abstract

This paper explains the details on the preparation of polyaniline/CeO₂ (10 wt %) nanocomposites using the method of in situ polymerization. The formation of PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposites were proposed via oxidation of aniline and reduction of CeO₂, respectively. The effect of CeO₂ concentration on AC conductivity, morphological, optical and structural properties of the prepared PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposites material were examined. The structural studies show the presence of CeO₂ nanoparticles were occurred in PANI of nanocomposites. The average grain size of PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposites varied with increasing and decreasing concentration due to the process of nucleation during the polymerization. The average particle grain sizes were measured from HRTEM. The morphology analysis was carried out from SEM. The UV absorption spectrum showed that the absorption peak of CeO₂ nanoparticle at 341 nm, shifted to lower wavelength side, the nanocomposite absorption peaks at about 324, 368 and 858 nm was confirmed by the formation of PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposites. The electronic structure of the band gap of the nanocomposite materials were calculated using ultraviolet visible absorption spectrum. The band gap energy of nanocomposite is 3.36 eV. The FTIR spectrum clearly showed the strong presence of CeO₂ nanoparticles in PANI chain. The AC conductivity varied with varying the temperature and depends on the concentration due to the formation of PANI/CeO₂ nanocomposite.