Polyaniline/TiO2 Nanocomposite: Enzymatic Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties

An enzymatic route for synthesis of a conducting nanocomposite between Polyaniline (PANI) and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is presented. The presence of sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) affects the polymerization reaction. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to catalyze the polymerization. Polyaniline was deposited on the surface of TiO2 NPs, forming a core-shell structure. Enzymatically synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis. spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that a strong interaction exist at the interface of PANI and nano-TiO2. The ability of PANI and PANI/TiO2 NPs for electron exchange by Platinum (Pt) electrode, by casting the PANI and PANI/TiO2 NPs on the Pt electrode surface was assessed by cyclic voltammetry. Difference of anodic and cathodic peak potential and formal potential values for PANI (281 mV and 425.5 mV, respectively) and PANI/TiO2 NPs (39 mV and 591.5 mV, respectively) were deduced by the analysis of voltammograms.