Electrochemical, structural and morphological analysis of poly(aniline-co-o-aminophenol)/X (X = MoO2, NiMoW, NiW, and NiMo) copolymer composites films

Copolymerization is a valuable approach to enhance the physical and chemical properties of conjugated polymers, often used to develop materials with improved functionality and stability. Poly(aniline-co-o-aminophenol) (PANI-PAP) is a copolymer that combines the beneficial properties of both polyaniline and poly-o-aminophenol, yielding a material with greater versatility and performance potential. Polymer composites further improve polymer characteristics by incorporating certain inorganic or organic components. This study focused on the synthesis and characterization of PANI-PAP/NiMoW/NiW/NiMo and/MoO₂ copolymer composites through in situ electrochemical polymerization techniques, using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The effects of nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten on structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties were systematically evaluated. Fourier transform (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the interaction between organic and inorganic species in the composite films, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM–EDX) provided detailed insight into their morphology and composition. Results from this study demonstrated that PANI-PAP/NiMoW copolymer composite exhibits enhanced electroactivity, with more reversible and distinct electrochemical properties, making them promising candidates for advanced electrochemical applications.