Synthesis and characterization of chemical structure and thermal stability of nanometer size polyaniline and polypyrrole coated on rice husk

This study describes the preparation of polyaniline/rice husk (PAn/RH) and polypyrrole/rice husk (PPy/RH) nanocomposites in aqueous media by chemical polymerization of aniline and pyrrole in the presence of potassium iodate and ferric chloride as oxidants, respectively. The products were investigated in terms of morphology, chemical structure and thermal stability with scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Results indicated that properties of products are dependent on nanocomposite structure. By comparison FTIR spectra between pure PAn and PAn/RH nanocomposite, all bands in nanocomposite are slightly shifted, which indicates that there is some interaction between PAn and the metal oxides of RH.

► Synthesis of polyaniline and polypyrrole nanocomposites containing rice husk.
► Products were investigated in terms of morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability.
► Properties of products are dependent on nanocomposite structure.
► Nanocomposites show remarkable improved thermogravimetric stability with PAn and PPy.