New process for fabrication of polyaniline–CdS nanocomposites: Structural, morphological and optoelectronic investigations

Polyaniline–CdS nanoocomposites have been synthesized by spin coating technique. The nanocrystalline CdS powder of particle size 40–50 nm was synthesized by sol–gel technique and the polyaniline was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline. The composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis spectroscopy and two probe method. The results were compared with corresponding data on pure polyaniline films. The intensity of diffraction peaks for PANi–CdS composites are lower than that for CdS. The conductivity measurement shows that molecular chain constitution of polyaniline is the most important carrier in polyaniline–CdS nanocomposite. The optical studies showed that variation in band gap of polyaniline (3.40 eV) to 2.54 eV CdS which is attributed to the interaction of CdS nanoparticles with PANi molecular chains.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Novel and Facile route for preparation of PANi–CdS nanocomposites. ► Nanostructured PANi–CdS (0–50%) thin films prepared by spin coating technique. ► PANi–CdS has a porous structure, interconnected network of fibers and high surface area.