Characterization and temperature-dependent conductivity of polyaniline nanocomposites encapsulating gold nanoparticles on the surface of carboxymethyl cellulose

Polyaniline nanocomposites encapsulating gold nanoparticles on carboxymethyl cellulose surface were prepared via the polymerization of aniline hydrochloride with different carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) concentrations (wt.%) using HAuCl4 as oxidant. The synthesized composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Surface morphology was studied by electron diffraction scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The embedded crystallinity of the composites was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The electrical property of the composites was examined by temperature-dependent DC conductivity in the range of 300–500 K. The composites exhibited higher electrical conductivities with increased CMC concentration under equivalent conditions. Activation energy for electron transport was also calculated based on the conductivity data.

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► Polyaniline nanocomposites encapsulating gold nanoparticles on the surface of carboxymethyl cellulose were prepared.
► The synthesized composites were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and TEM.
► Temperature-dependent DC conductivity was also studied.
► The new composites may be useful for the applications of biomaterials in molecular electronics and other fields.