Synthesis and characterization of self-assembled polyaniline nanotubes doped with D-10-camphorsulfonic acid

Conducting nanotubes of polyaniline (PANI) about 80–180 nm in diameter were synthesized by a chemical template-free method in the presence of D-10-camphorsulfonic acid (D-CSA) as the dopant, and ammonium persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈) as the oxidant. The effect of synthetic conditions, such as the molar ratio of D-CSA to aniline (An), the concentration of D-CSA in the polymerization media, the reaction temperature and time, on the morphology and size as well as the electrical properties of the PANI–(D-CSA) was investigated. It was found that the above synthetic conditions, especially the molar ratio of D-CSA to An, strongly affected the morphology and formation probability of the resulting PANI. The micelles formed by D-CSA and anilinium cations act as the templates in the formation of PANI–(D-CSA) nanotubes.