Chemically modified polyaniline nanocomposites by poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonicacid)/graphene nanoplatelet

New conducting polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites that were chemically modified by poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonicacid) (PMP) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared via in situ deposition. PMP was first synthesized using GNPs, and aniline hydrochloride monomer was then polymerized in the presence of PMP-GNPs. The nanopolymer composites were characterized, and its structural morphology was analyzed via transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy results indicate a strong interaction between PANI, PMP, and GNPs. To understand the conduction behavior of the composites, temperature-dependent DC electrical conductivity was measured between 295 K and 503 K, and the mechanism of transport properties of the new composites was analyzed by Mott’s variable range of hopping model. The PANI/PMP-GNP showed higher conductivity than pure PANI polymer. The high electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites may be useful in fabricating multifunctional materials in bulk for future technological applications.