Electronic properties of soluble functionalized polyaniline (polyanthranilic acid)-multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites: Influence of synthesis methods

Processible nanocomposites of carboxyl functionalized conducting polymer “polyanthranilic acid” (PANA) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are prepared using two different synthesis routes viz. single phase and two phase polymerization. The novel nanocomposite materials are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TGA), electrochemical impedance (EI), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) techniques for their structural, thermal, electrochemical and surface morphological properties. SEM and HRTEM images are confirmed that nanotubes are dispersed uniformly in polymer matrix and polymer chains wrap around the nanotubes walls. The interaction between MWNTs and PANA is analyzed by Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. UV–vis spectroscopic technique is used to obtain the optical bandgap of nanocomposites. PANA-MWNTs nanocomposites are used for the first time for fabrication of sandwich type devices with a configuration of metal Al/PANA-MWNTs nanocomposite/indium tin oxide coated glass (ITO). The current density–voltage (J–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics of the Schottky diode are subsequently used for extracting electronic parameters of the devices. These measurements revealed that the junction electrical parameters depend strongly on the synthesis route for preparation of nanocomposites.