Synthesis and electrochemical impedance properties of CdS nanoparticles decorated polyaniline nanorods

Well defined and uniform polyaniline nanorods were synthesized by the simple chemical polymerization of aniline monomer, using dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA) as a surfactant as well as dopant. The sensitization with CdS nanomaterials was carried out by the addition of cadmium chloride and sodium sulfide in the polymerization reaction. The uniformity and the size of CdS–PANI nanorods during the polymerization were controlled by the use of DBSA. The synthesized PANI nanorods exhibited the average diameter of ∼40–50 nm and length of several hundred nm. After the sensitization with CdS, the surface of PANI nanorods was completely decorated with the small CdS nanoparticles. The structural and the optical characterizations showed the interaction between CdS nanomaterials and PANI nanorods. The surface analysis showed that PANI and CdS nanomaterials were partially interacted and bonded by the two charged nitrogen species (N+ and N+) of PANI with CdS nanomaterials. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of CdS–PANI nanorods electrode exhibited considerable reduced charge transfer resistance, indicated the improved electrochemical behavior and the electrical properties of the prepared CdS–PANI nanorods electrode.

► CdS decorated polyaniline nanorods are synthesized by the chemical polymerization.
► The use of DBSA as a surfactant controls the uniformity and the size of CdS–PANI nanorods.
► Thicknesses of PANI nanorods have significantly increased after the sensitization with CdS.
► CdS–PANI nanorods electrode exhibits the reduced charge transfer resistance and improves the electrochemical behavior.