Synthesis of Composites from Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and Polyaniline

Abstract

Modification of the surface of preliminarily functionalized multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polyaniline is studied. The influence of the method and degree of functionalization of CNTs on oxidative polymerization process of aniline is studied. There is a correlation of the maximum value on the temperature curve of this reaction and the yield of its target product with the depth of preliminary oxidation of CNTs. The morphological characteristics and composition of a modifying layer are studied with transmission electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The character of the dependence of electrically conductive properties of the composites and the magnitude of their specific surface on the degree of preliminary functionalization of CNTs with carboxyl groups is shown. The composites based on carboxylated CNTs with a degree of functionalization of 0.2 mmol/g possess minimum resistivity values (0.3 Ω cm). Materials with a maximum specific surface area (more than 170 m²/g) were obtained during use of CNTs, oxidized with concentrated nitric acid, as a substrate for precipitation of polyaniline. The experimental studies made it possible to substantiate a choice of the type of functionalized CNTs during modification with polyaniline for the use of synthesized composites as electrode materials and effective adsorbents.