Influence of Graphene Nanoplatelets Loading into Physical and Morphological Characteristics of Polyaniline Nanocomposites

This study has evaluated the effects of graphene nanoplatelets loading to the physical and morphological characteristic of polyaniline-based nanocomposites. The synthesis of PANI was conducted through an oxidative aniline polymerization method in an acidic medium. GNPs loadings are varied into 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 wt.% addition. It was found that the presence of GNPs within PANI matrix has three-time enhanced the DC conductivity. Platelet like GNPs nano disc-flake and establishment of conductive network among them had successfully assisted the PANI polymer conductivity which mainly caused by the polar and bipolar movement along the conjugated polyaniline backbone. Addition of GNPs as an alternative charge carrier helps to reduce the dependency of dopant utilization in increasing the electro-conductivity of conductive PANI polymers.