Conductive Polymer Nanocomposites: From Synthesis to Surface Morphology for Diverse Applications

Abstract

Conductive polymer nanocomposites have emerged as a significant area of research due to their unique properties and broad application potential across various fields. This study delves into the synthesis, characterization, and surface morphology of these advanced materials, focusing on polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites for the first time utilized in the search for cadmium sulfate in an aqueous solution. The pioneering effort to produce a polyaniline-CdS nanocomposite involved in-situ oxidative polymerization, revealing crucial insights into the material's physical characteristics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of pure nano CdS particles within the PANI matrix, highlighting significant changes in morphology, chemical composition, crystallinity, conductivity, and surface area due to the atypical synthesis techniques. The study reviews the synthesis of polyaniline using both traditional and grafted methods, emphasizing the direct relationship between structure and properties achieved through high-accuracy development processes. Observations demonstrated that PANI/CdS nanocomposites exhibit higher DC conductivity than pure PANI, attributed to the homogeneous intercalation of CdS nanoparticles which enhance the electrical conductivity through a cooperative phenomenon with polyaniline. This investigation not only broadens our understanding of conductive polymer nanocomposites but also paves the way for their innovative use in next-generation technologies, demonstrating their potential to revolutionize various industries.