Polyaniline/clay nanocomposites: Preparation, characterization and electrochemical properties

Abstract

Preparation of polyaniline (PAni)/clay nanocomposites by reacting aniline with ammonium persulphate in presence of clay at 0-5 °C for 12 h. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis for their physicochemical properties. Morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical studies of PAni/clay nanocomposites were carried out using cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The PAni/clay nanocomposites showed specific capacitances of 415-455 Fg-1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs-1.