Synthesis of Polyaniline-Zinc Oxide Composites: Assessment of Structural, Morphological, and Electrical Properties

In this study, nanocomposites of polyaniline-zinc oxide (PANI-ZnO) were synthesized via in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization, employing ammonium persulfate [(NH4)2S2O8] as an oxidant in an acidic milieu. Variations in zinc oxide content (1%, 3%, and 5%) were systematically explored. Comprehensive structural and morphological evaluations were conducted utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The integration of ZnO was found to facilitate hydrogen bond formation with the N-H groups of PANI, a phenomenon consistently observed across all composites. Notably, ZnO incorporation induced morphological transformations and fostered crystallite growth, with dimensions expanding from 10.8 nm to 21.8 nm. These structural alterations were also reflected in the diverse morphologies of the resultant composites. The electrically conductive properties, assessed via the four-point probe method, revealed a significant enhancement in conductivity, achieving values as high as 1.65x10-2 S.cm-1. The study establishes a direct correlation between the ZnO content and the resultant conductivity, underscoring the potential of PANI-ZnO composites for advanced applications in fields demanding high electrical conductivity, including but not limited to sensors, energy conversion systems, smart textiles, and electrochromic devices.