Synthesis of high-performance polyaniline/graphene oxide nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on polyaniline (PANI) and graphene oxide sheets (GOs) were synthesized via in situ polymerization in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The morphology and structure of the nanocomposites were characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that CTAB helps to exfoliate GOs in organic solvent and increases its dispersion in PANI matrix. PANI molecules formed are of different microstructures and are deposited onto the surface of GOs via π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding. The results show that the electrical conductivity and specific capacitance of PANI/GOs nanocomposites are strongly affected by the microstructure of PANI, which are originally induced by the presence of GOs and CTAB.