Studies on the conducting nanocomposite prepared by polymerization of 2-aminobenzoic acid with aniline from aqueous solutions in montmorillonite

A simple and facile method was used to synthesize poly(o-aminobenzoic acid) (PoABA) and polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites with sodium montmorillonite (M-Na) using in situ intercalative oxidative homo-, and co-polymerization by a substoichiometric amount of ammonium persulfate. The conductive emeraldine salt form of all polymers used is inserted into the layers of M-Na to produce the hybrid with high conductivity. The properties of the hybrid are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical response; the results show that what we obtain is really a nanocomposite.

► A simple and facile method was used to synthesize prepared a nanocomposite.
► Intercalation of monomers into clay was followed by oxidative polymerization.
► Characterizations confirm the intercalation of polymers between clay layers.
► The PoABA/clay nanocomposite are more thermally stable than those of PANI/clay.
► Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymers grown into clay.