Morphosynthesis and morphology characterization of aniline and aniline/Laponite films

We report on morphosynthesis techniques that have been employed to tune polyamine film nanoarchitectures and on their resulting morphologies. Specific layers discussed include films of aniline/Laponite clay and aniline solution processed with V2O5 catalyst. Synthesis approaches examined include films generated in-situ (glass templating), solution based drop casting, and mechanochemical grinding. Surface topography results suggest that these approaches provide dimensionality control of the polyaniline morphology. Surface images of the mechanochemically ground polyaniline/Laponite nanocomposite layer reveal interfacial contact which is promising for potential heterojunction solar cell designs.

► Morphosynthesis techniques were employed to tune polyamine film nanoarchitectures. ► 1D PANI nanostructures were observed at low aniline concentration. ► A vanadia solution drop cast method (no agitation) produced 2D PANI nanosheets. ► An in-situ slide-templated vanadia solution produced 3D PANI globular nanoislands. ► Larger 3D PANI aggregates populated the surface at high aniline concentrations.