Effects of CuO on the morphology and conducting properties of PANI nanofibers

Direct evidence of the control of size and morphology of polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers along with the high conducting properties is reported by systematically varying the loadings of CuO in the range from 0.005 to 0.1 g during the synthesis process. The freshly prepared PANI-CuO composites were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both FTIR and UV–vis measurements revealed the possible incorporation of CuO in PANI and the maximum interaction occurs for 0.01 g CuO loading. The mean diameter of the PANI nanofibers determined by TEM measurement showed that the lowest diameter, 14 nm was possible to obtain for the lowest CuO loading (0.005 g CuO). FESEM analysis showed that the addition of CuO in the range of 0.005 and 1.00 g, always produced nanofibers with regular and uniform surface morphology and without secondary growth and agglomeration of the primary nanofibers. In terms of surface morphology, the best quality of nanofibers was obtained for 0.01 g loading of CuO. Conductivity measurement showed the increasing trend of conductivity value for the lower loadings of CuO (0.005 g and 0.01 g). However, for the higher CuO loadings (0.05–1.00 g), the conductivity value was not consistent. The maximum and consistent conductivity of 0.270 S cm−1 was observed for 0.01 g loading of CuO.

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► Control of diameter and morphology of PANI nanofibers by CuO addition is reported.
► The lowest diameter of polyaniline, 14 nm was obtained for the 0.005 g CuO loading.
► The addition of CuO in the range of 0.005 and 1.00 g always produced nanofibers.
► The best quality of nanofibers was obtained for 0.01 g CuO loading.
► Increasing trend as well as consistence conductivity value for lower CuO loadings.