SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYANILINE ENCAPSULATED GREEN CU2O NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

Polyaniline encapsulated copper oxide (Cu₂O/PANI) nanocomposites are synthesized at room temperature through in-situ chemical polymerization method in acidic medium with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The Cu₂O/PANI nanocomposites are then investigated for physicochemical and electrical properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), DC conductivity and thermal conductivity studies. The completion of polymerization of aniline in the formation of nanocomposites is confirmed through the functional group assignments in FTIR spectrum. The presence of green Cu₂O nanoparticles in the polyaniline matrix is established in nanocomposites through XRD studies. SEM analysis revealed that the nanocomposite particles are irregular in shape and the size ranged from 50 to 130 nm. Optical absorbance of nanocomposites demonstrates the shifting of characteristic peaks due to presence of green Cu₂O nanoparticles in polyaniline matrix. The band gap analysis exhibits the narrow band gap direct transition semiconducting nature of the nanocomposites

Author

K Gopalakrishnana* , C Rameshb