Controllable synthesis of novel sandwiched polyaniline/ZnO/polyaniline free-standing nanocomposite films

Controllable synthesis of novel sandwiched polyaniline (PANI)/ZnO/PANI free-standing nanocomposite films is reported via spin coating of ZnO quantum-dot interlayer on PANI base layer and then PANI surface layer on the ZnO interlayer. The thickness of the ZnO interlayer and the PANI surface layer can be easily controlled by adjusting spin time and spin speed, respectively. The effects of the ZnO interlayer thickness and the PANI surface layer thickness are examined in detail on the photoluminescence (PL) property. It is worth noting that coverage of the PANI surface layer on the ZnO interlayer can not only lead to great enhancement in the PL property but also to a maximum PL intensity at a medium PANI surface layer thickness. This maximum PL property is caused by the combined ZnO/PANI carrier transportation and PANI shielding effects. In addition, the nanocomposite films show reasonably good conductivity. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012