Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline–camphorsulphonic acid nanotube film

Polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes were prepared in the bulk solution and as films using the aniline oxidation with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous solutions of camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). The in situ PANI films produced during the oxidation of aniline in CSA and also in hydrochloric acid solutions were followed by monitoring the frequency changes of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The kinetics of the film formation were discussed. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) showed PANI nanotubes. In addition, nanorods and nanoflowers composed from nanofibers and nanoflakes are also present to some extent. The nanotubes were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy.