Effect of graphite loading on properties of polyaniline/graphite composites

Polyaniline and graphite (PANI/G) composites at different graphite loading were prepared via solution method using N-methyl pyrrolidone as a solvent. The microstructures, structural, thermal, and electrical properties of the composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and four-point probe method. The successful attachment of PANI on the active site in the graphite structure was observed through SEM which contributed to the enhancement in the structure, thermal stability, and electrical conductivities of the composites. Besides, the polaron structure, by the presence of C–N stretching vibration, leads to an increment in conductivity from 0.017 to 0.050 S/cm. The XRD pattern also showed a broad diffraction peak of the composites at 2θ = 25.7° started shifting near to the graphite peak which indicated the surface of graphite was perpendicular to polyaniline and changed from partial amorphous to crystal structure. FTIR spectra also showed a peak shift in PANI/G composites due to the interlayer bonding between polyaniline and graphite. Thermal stability of PANI/G composites was also improved by the addition of graphite loading where the final decomposition temperature and residue mass also increased.