Molar concentration dependent structural, morphological and optical properties of polyaniline-zinc oxide (PAni-ZnO) nanocomposite

Insitu chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline and ZnO was performed in a micellar solution of DBSA (dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, anionic surfactant) to obtain their polyaniline-ZnO (PAni-ZnO) nanocomposites. The molar ratio of aniline and ZnO has an effect on the structural, optical and morphological properties of the nanocomposites. XRD characterization was adopted to gain insight of the change in structural property of the nanocomposites by variation of monomer to metal oxide molar concentration It was found that crystallinity is improved with a decrease of molar amount of aniline. FESEM images depict agglomerated nanowire like structure. The absorption behaviour of the nanocomposites was investigated for the existence of the polaronic band. Peaks at 667 nm show redshift with increase in PAni amount, hence band gap value is found to decrease. Photoluminescence emission spectra initially show enhancement in intensity and later quenching with the increase of polymer content. CIE coordinate is shifted to the deep blue region for a higher amount of aniline in composites. Luminescence property of the nanocomposites has been found to be tuned by the variation of the molar concentration of PAni and ZnO.