Proton conducting polyaniline molecular sieve composites

Mesoporous SBA-15/polyaniline composites were synthesized and their physical properties were investigated. The polyaniline was polymerized inside the pores of the mesoporous material by a post-synthesis process as well as an in one step process during the preparation of the molecular sieve. These materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The composite polyaniline/SBA-15 was electrically insulating (dc conductivity ∼10−8 S/cm) and produced proton conductivities of up to 10−2 S/cm when doped with HCl.