Preparation and characterization of graphene nano-platelets integrated polyaniline based conducting nanocomposites

• Preparation of GNP integrated PANi nano composites by in-situ polymerization method.
• In-situ polymerization process is effective method to synthesize GNP/PANi composites.
• FESEM & XRD, it was found the PANi was coated on to the GNP.
• Raman analysis showed significant interactions between GNP and PANi.

Natural graphite flakes were intercalated with strong oxidizing agents and were converted into thermally expanded graphite (TEG) through thermal exfoliation. Thermally expanded graphite was delaminated and transformed into graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) by using ultrasonic irradiation. GNP integrated polyaniline (PANi) nanocomposites were synthesized via in-situ polymerization of aniline monomers in the presence of GNP. The structure and morphology of composite was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. TEM micrographs revealed that GNP consists of 20–25 graphene layers and PANi was uniformly coated on GNP. From Raman analysis it was showed significant interactions between GNP and polyaniline. Electrical conductivity was measured by using 4-point probe device, enhanced conductivity was obtained for composite.