Synthesis and characterization of metallic nanoparticles and their incorporation into electroconductive polymer composites

Gold and copper–gold nanoparticles were synthesized using anionic microemulsions as reducing reactors. The microemulsions were prepared using sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (Aerosol OT) and copper(II) bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (Cu(AOT)2) as surfactants, which were dissolved in isooctane containing an appropriate quantity of water. The growth of nanoparticles was monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy and the nanoparticles formed were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The metallic nanoparticles were incorporated into films of an electroconductive polymer (ECP) composite: polyaniline-poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PANI/PBMA) by the casting technique. The nanoparticle-ECP composite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrical conductivity measurements and NH4OH and H2O2-sensing capability experiments. The inclusion of nanoparticles results in a cooperative phenomena between the polyaniline and the nanoparticles and as a consequence, the gold nanoparticles increased the electrical conductivity of the ECP film by two orders of magnitude.