Sonochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Paramelaconite in Polyaniline Matrix

A simple method for the fabrication of nanocrystalline Cu 4 O 3 in polyaniline is reported. An aqueous solution of copper(II) acetate and aniline (1:10 mole ratio) is irradiated by ultrasound to produce nanophased Cu 4 O 3 embedded in a polyaniline matrix. The as-prepared Cu 4 O 3 - polyaniline is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism for the fabrication of Cu 4 O 3 - polyaniline is proposed and discussed. This method is general and works also for the production of nanocrystalline Fe 3 O 4 and Cu 2 O embedded in polyaniline. This technique is an easy route for the production of other metal oxides embedded in polyaniline as well.