Synthesis of Ag/PANI Core Shell Nanocomposites Using Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Silver/polyaniline (Ag/PANI) nanocomposites were prepared by γ-irradiation oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of ammonium persulfate. Ultraviolet/visible absorption shows the formation and growth of irradiated Ag nanoparticles within the PANI matrix. The transmission electron microscopic image of irradiated PANI-coated Ag nanoparticles indicated a spherical shape with a particle size of 25–30 nm. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that PANI is amorphous and has a broad band centered at 2θ = 25.5o, and the crystalline phase of Ag nanoparticles is face cubic with a crystallite size of 22–26 nm. DC conductivities of pure PANI and Ag/PANI nanocomposites show that the DC electrical conductivity of the irradiated Ag/PANI nanocomposites is higher than that of pure PANI. Catalytic evaluation of Ag/PANI nanocomposites shows that the composite is a successive catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.