Cross-Linked Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone) Hard-Template and Polymerization Method in Controlling Nanostructures and Properties of Polyaniline Composites

The present work investigates the use of hard template cross-linked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (CPVP) in polyaniline (PANI) material design. In chemical polymerization with slight modification in synthesis conditions, CPVP regulates the formation of three PANI composites PANI-CPVP 1 (nanorods) PANI-CPVP 2 (nano-rice-like structures) and PANI-CPVP 3 (crystalline grains). FTIR, XRD and SEM techniques explain the different chemical and structural modifications in the composites compared to PANI. In thermogravimetry, PANI has three-step weight-loss while PANI-CPVP composites exhibit 4/5 step weight-loss. All the composites exhibit characteristic differences in conductivity and hardness properties. An interrelationship thus exists between macromolecular nanostructures and properties.