Fabrication and Properties of Novel Polyaniline/ Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)cumene Terminated/4,4′-oxydianiline/Graphite-Based Nanocomposites via Layered Polymerization

An effective route for fabrication of nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANi) and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)cumene terminated (PSMA) as matrices and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) as linker via an in-situ ring opening polymerization was opted. Acidic functionalization afforded functional hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the graphite surface (F-G). FESEM disclosed dispersion of polymers on graphite surface in NF-G/PANi/PSMA/ODA nanocomposite, while in F-G/PANi/PSMA/ODA nanocomposite, graphite sheets seemed to be covered with polymer. Relative to NF-G/PANi/PSMA/ODA (T10 444; Tg 245), F-G/PANi/PSMA/ODA exhibited higher thermal stability (T10 453; Tg 350). The electrical conductivity of F-G/PANi/PSMA/ODA was also remarkably improved by the incorporation of modified graphite upto 13.88 S cm−1.