Electrical, Structural and Gas Sensing Properties of Polyaniline DBSA-Fullerene Nanocomposite

Abstract

By employing chemical route PANI/DBSA-C60 (Polyaniline/Dodechyl benzene sulfonic acid –Fullerene) nanocomposite is synthesized by using ammonium persulfate and DBSA as oxidizing agent and acid dopant respectively. Synthesized samples are characterized for FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), XRD (X-ray diffraction), electrical conductivity using standard four probe method and methanol gas sensing properties. The FTIR spectrum illustrates the existence of interaction between polyaniline and fullerene. XRD spectra prove the formation of PANI/DBSA-C60. In collaboration with these, SEM images also indicate the highly branched chain structure of the PANI in the presence of C60. The PANI/DBSA-C60 showed the electrical conductivity more than over pure PANI/DBSA. The gas response of the PANI/DBSA-C60 nanocomposite towards different concentration of methanol was examined and compared with that of the pure PANI/DBSA. The PANI/DBSA-C60 was observed higher methanol gas sensing capacity compared to pure PANI/DBSA.