The unique role of dl-tartaric acid in determining the morphology of polyaniline nanostructures during an interfacial oxidation polymerization

In this letter, we report the roles of acid in governing the one-dimensional polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures formation during an interfacial oxidation polymerization using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) as oxidant and dl-tartaric acid (TA) as dopant. Results showed that in the absence of TA or at a low TA concentration, the PANI nanotubes obtained have a smaller inner diameter and a larger wall thickness. At higher TA loading level, however, it was found that the inner diameter of the PANI nanotubes became larger and the wall thickness became thinner, and the shape of the nanotubes changed from cylindrical to rectangular. The possible roles of the acid on the morphology formation of the PANI nanostructures were discussed.