Graphene/polyaniline nanocomposites: effect of in-situ polymerization and solvent blending methods with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid surfactant

Polyaniline (PANI) has fascinated considerable interest from industrial and academic researchers due to their great potential in many electronic applications. The present study aims to enhance the electrical and thermal properties of the graphene/PANI nanocomposites using different fabrication methods and modifications in the nanocomposites formulation. Comparison on the properties of graphene/PANI nanocomposites produced by in-situ polymerization and solvent blending methods and also the effects of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) surfactant are investigated. Electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the sample. Results showed that graphene/PANI nanocomposites produced by the in-situ polymerization method have better electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and thermal stability if compared to that of the solvent blending method. The in-situ polymerization method exhibits a smaller diameter size of PANI fiber and good dispersion of graphene filler. Furthermore, the addition of DBSA surfactant in the graphene/PANI nanocomposites developed homogeneity and uniform dispersion of the graphene filler within the PANI matrix. In conclusion, graphene/PANI with surfactant nanocomposites produced by the in-situ polymerization method showed higher electrical and thermal conductivity by 10% and 6%, respectively, if compared to the in-situ polymerization without surfactant. Thermal stability also showed improvement with the addition of surfactant.