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Abstract Counter electrode (CE) is an essential part of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in determining their efficiency. Ultimately, the high catalytic activity and conductivity of a CE are dependent on the type of electrode material. The utilization of polyaniline (PANI) coatings for surface modification of CE has proven to be worth. Though it is a bit difficult to optimize the efficiency of a polymeric material, a proper combination of inorganic‐organic dopants can impart positive synergistic effects to the resulting PANI in terms of good conductivity, electrocatalytic activity, and low resistance. This work reports on the effect of the combination ration of an organic dopant (ammonium lauryl sulfate, ALS) and an inorganic dopant (sulfuric acid) on the catalytic activity of CEs modified with PANI for DSSCs. The results are compared with those of platinum counter electrode (Pt CE). The maximum conversion efficiency of DSSC with optimized case reaches 4.54%, which is higher than that of Pt counter electrode (4.02%). This organic–inorganic acids doped polymeric material showing an enhanced photoelectrochemical activity might be exploited in the future as a promising material for application in next‐generation solar devices.

Conducting polymers integrated with metal oxides create opportunities for hybrid capacitive electrodes. In this work, we report a one-pot oxidative polymerization for the synthesis of integrated conductive polyindole/nickel oxide (PIn/NiO), polyindole/zinc oxide (PIn/ZnO), and polyindole/nickel oxide/zinc oxide (PNZ). The polymers were analyzed thoroughly for their composition and physical as well as chemical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PIn and its composites were processed into electrodes, and their use in symmetrical supercapacitors in two- and three-electrode setups was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The best electrochemical charge storage capability was found for the ternary PNZ composite. The high performance directly correlates with its uniformly shaped nanofibrous structure and high crystallinity. For instance, the symmetrical supercapacitor fabricated with PNZ hybrid electrodes shows a high specific capacitance of 310.9 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with an energy density of 42.1 Wh kg−1, a power density of 13.2 kW kg−1, and a good cycling stability of 78.5% after 5000 cycles. This report presents new electrode materials for advanced supercapacitor technology based on these results.

Eco-friendly inhibitors have attracted considerable interest due to the increasing environmental issues caused by the extensive use of hazardous corrosion inhibitors. In this paper, environmentally friendly PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 composites were prepared by a low-cost inverse emulsion polymerization for corrosion inhibition of mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS). The PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 composites were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis, and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD measurements show that the PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 composite is mostly amorphous and scanning electron micrographs (SEM) reveal a uniform distribution of Al2O3 on the surface of the PDG-g-PANI matrix. The composite was applied as a corrosion inhibitor on mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS), and its efficiency was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization measurement in a 3.5% NaCl and 1 M H2SO4 solution. Corrosion kinetic parameters obtained from Tafel evaluation show that the PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 composites protect the surface of MS and SS with inhibition efficiencies of 92.3% and 51.9% in 3.5% NaCl solution, which is notably higher than those obtained with untreated epoxy resin (89.3% and 99.5%). In particular, the mixture of epoxy/PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 shows the best performance with an inhibition efficiency up to 99.9% on MS and SS. An equivalent good inhibition efficiency was obtained for the composite for 1M H2SO4. Analysis of activation energy, formation enthalpy, and entropy values suggest that the epoxy/PDG-g-PANI/Al2O3 coating is thermodynamically favorable for corrosion protection of MS and exhibits long-lasting stability.

The lack of an eco-friendly approach towards application of polyaniline as a coating material has been one of the most challenging tasks. Herein, the synthesis of green Prunus domestica gum grafted polyaniline (PDG-g-PANI) composite is reported by a cost-effective emulsion polymerization for application as an efficient anti-corrosion material for mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS) in a strong corroding environment. The composite formation was confirmed by Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Visible) and Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. X-ray diffraction data revealed the amorphous nature of the PDG-g-PANI. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images showed a bi-layered structure having a parent porous layer of PANI coated with afibrous layer of PDG. The solubility test confirmed the dissolution of PDG-g-PANI in common organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, propanol, butanol, chloroform, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and the mixture of propanol and chloroform. The polarization curve, open circuit potential, electrochemical impendence spectroscopy (EIS), and gravimetric analysis were applied to investigate the corrosion protection behavior of the composite on MS and SS in 3.5% NaCl and 1 M H2SO4 solution. The PDG-g-PANI-coated MS exhibited 96% corrosion inhibition efficiency as compared to 86% and 43% for pristine PANI and PDG in 3.5% NaCl solution while PDG-g-PANI-coated SS showed 98% corrosion inhibition efficiency. Moreover, 99% and 96.6% corrosion protection was observed for PDG-g-PANI-coated MS and SS in 1 M H2SO4 solution. Gravimetric studies revealed that PDG-g-PANI coating can protect MS up to 93% for 14 days in salt solution while 97% corrosion inhibition efficiency was retained for 2 months in open air.

A polybenzopyrrole@nickel oxide (Pbp@NiO) nanocomposite was synthesized by an oxidative chemical one-pot method and tested as an active material for hybrid electrodes in an electrochemical supercapattery device. The as-prepared composite material exhibits a desirable 3D cross-linked nanostructured morphology and a synergistic effect between the polymer and metal oxide, which improved both physical properties and electrochemical performance. The unprocessed material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy disperse X-ray analysis, and thermogravimetry. The nanocomposite material was deposited without a binder on gold current collectors and investigated for electrochemical behavior and performance in a symmetrical two- and three-electrode cell setup. A high specific capacity of up to 105 C g−1 was obtained for the Pbp@NiO-based electrodes with a gravimetric energy density of 17.5 Wh kg−1, a power density of 1925 W kg−1, and excellent stability over 10,000 cycles.

Fabrication of composites by developing simple techniques can be an efficient way to modify the desire properties of the materials. This paper presents a detailed study on synthesis of low cost and efficient nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide nickle-silver (N-rGO-Ni/Ag) and nickel-cobalt (N-rGO-Ni/Co) nanocomposites as electrocatalysts in fuel cell using one-pot blended reflux condensation route. An admirable correlation in the structures and properties of the synthesized nanocomposites was observed. The Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) values for N-rGO-Ni/Ag and N-rGO-Ni/Co calculated from the onset potential, using Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), were found to be 1.096 and 1.146. While the half wave potential were determined to be 1.046 and 1.106, respectively, N-rGO-Ni/Ag and N-rGO-Ni/Co. The Tafel and bi-functional (ORR/OER) values were calculated as 76 and 35 mV/decade and 1.23 and 1.12 V, respectively, for N-rGO-Ni/Ag and N-rGO-Ni/Co. The lower onset and half wave potential, low charge transfer resistance (Rct = 1.20 Ω/cm2) and internal solution resistance (Rs = 8.84 × 10−1 Ω/cm2), lower Tafel values (35 mV), satisfactory LSV measurements and mass activity (24.5 at 1.056 V for ORR and 54.9 at 1.056 for OER) demonstrate the remarkable electrocatalytic activity of N-rGO-Ni/Co for both ORR and OER. The chronamperometric stability for synthesized nanocomposites was found satisfactory up to 10 h.

Electronically conducting poly (aniline-co-2-hydroxyaniline) (PACHA), a copolymer of aniline and 2-hydroxyaniline (2HA), was electrochemically coated on gold substrate for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media. The electrochemical behavior of PACHA coated gold electrode towards methanol electrooxidation was investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for application in an alkaline fuel cell. Methanol electrooxidation was observed at two different electrode potentials depending on the concentration of the base. At the PACHA coated gold electrode, the methanol oxidation peak was observed at lower overpotential (at 0.19 V) in a solution of high base concentration (1.8 M NaOH), which was 30 mV lower than the peak for the uncoated gold electrode. In addition, the Faradic current Imax obtained on the PACHA coated electrode (20 mA) was two times higher as compared to the Faradic current Imax of the un-modified gold electrode (10 mA). In solution of lower base concentration (0.06 M NaOH), the electrooxidation of methanol became sluggish on both electrodes, as indicated by peak shifting towards positive potential and with reduced faradaic current (at 0.74 V on PACHA coated electrode; Imax 10 mA). The electrooxidation of methanol at both lower and higher electrode potentials was analyzed mechanistically and discussed in light of the literature. EIS results were interpreted using Nyquist and Bode plots. The charge transfer resistance was decreased and pseudo-capacitive behavior changed to conductive behavior when external applied potential was increased from 0.1 V to 0.4 V.

Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) analysis was employed to investigate activation energy (Ea) for the process of degrading of poly(o-toluidine) (POT) applying Horwitz & Metzger, Coats & Redfern and Chan et al., methods. POT was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization method using Ammonium per Sulphate (APS) as an oxidant while Dodecylbenzene Sulphonic Acid (DBSA) and sulfuric acid as co-dopants. Different samples, synthesized by variations in the reactions parameters, were evaluated in order to choose the one with the highest activation energy of degradation. Additional characterization of the polymer was carried out through different techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UltraViolet Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis.

Polybenzopyrrole (Pbp) is an emerging candidate for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. There is a need to develop synthesis strategies for this class of polymers that can help improve its overall properties and make it as suitable for energy storage applications as other well-studied polymers in this substance class, such as polyaniline and polypyrrole. In this study, by synthesizing Pbp in surfactant-supported acidic medium, we were able to show that the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of Pbp-based electrodes are strongly influenced by the respective polymerization conditions. Through appropriate optimization of various reaction parameters, a significant enhancement of the thermal stability (up to 549.9 °C) and the electrochemical properties could be achieved. A maximum specific capacitance of 166.0 ± 2.0 F g−1 with an excellent cycle stability of 87% after 5000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1 was achieved. In addition, a particularly high-power density of 2.75 kW kg−1 was obtained for this polybenzopyrrole, having a gravimetric energy density of 17 Wh kg−1. The results show that polybenzopyrroles are suitable candidates to compete with other conducting polymers as electrode materials for next-generation Faradaic supercapacitors. In addition, the results of the current study can also be easily applied to other systems and used for adaptations or new syntheses of advanced hybrid/composite Pbp-based electrode materials.

The performance of high-rate supercapacitors requires fine morphological and electrical properties of the electrode. Polyaniline (PANI), as one of the most promising materials for energy storage, shows different behaviour on different substrates. The present study reports on the surface modification of fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) with the sodium phytate doped PANI without any binder and its utilization as a novel current collector in symmetric supercapacitor devices. The electrochemical behaviour of the sodium phytate doped PANI thin film with and without a binder on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) as current collector was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The electrode without a binder showed higher electrocatalytic efficiency. A symmetrical cell configuration was therefore constructed with the binder-free electrodes. The device showed excellent electrochemical performance with high specific capacities of 550 Fg−1 at 1 Ag−1 and 355 Fg−1 at 40 Ag−1 calculated from galvanostatic discharge curves. The low charge transfer and solution resistances (RCT and RS) of 7.86 Ωcm² and 3.58 × 10−1 Ωcm², respectively, and superior rate capability of 66.9% over a wide current density range of 1 Ag−1 to 40 Ag−1 and excellent cycling stability with 90% of the original capacity over 1000 charge/discharge cycles at 40 Ag−1, indicated it to be an efficient energy storage device. Moreover, the gravimetric energy and power density of the supercapacitor was remarkably high, providing 73.8 Whkg−1 at 500 Wkg−1, respectively. The gravimetric energy density remained stable as the power density increased. It even reached up to 49.4 Whkg−1 at a power density of up to 20 Wkg−1.

Electroconductive polymeric patches are being developed in the hope to interface with the electroresponsive tissues. For these constructs, conjugated polymers are considered as conductive components for their electroactive nature. Conversely, the clinical applications of these conductive polymeric patches are limited due to their short operational time, a decrease in their electroactivity occurs with the passage of time. This paper reports on the polymerization of aniline on prefabricated chitosan films on microscopic glass slides in the presence of sodium phytate. The strong chelation among sodium phytate, aniline and chitosan led to the formation of electoconductive polymeric patch. We assume that immobilization of sodium phytate in the polymeric patch helps to prevent electric deterioration, extend its electronic stability and reduce sheet resistance. The patch oxidized after three weeks (21 days) of incubation in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4 as physiological medium). This feasible fabrication technique set the foundation to design electronically stable, conjugated polymer-based patches, by providing a robust system of conduction that could be used with electroactive tissues such as cardiac muscles at the interface.

In the field of advanced energy storage, nanostructured Polyaniline (PANI) based materials hold a special place. Extensive studies have been done on the application of PANI in supercapacitors, however, the structure–property relationship of these materials is still not understood. This paper presents a detailed characterization of the novel sodium phytate doped 3D PANI nanofibers anchored on different types of carbon paper for application in supercapacitors. An excellent relationship between the structures and properties of the synthesized samples was found. Remarkable energy storage characteristics with low values of solution, charge transfer and polarization resistance and a specific capacitance of 1106.9 ± 1.5 F g−1 and 779 ± 2.6 F g−1 at current density 0.5 and 10 Ag−1, respectively, was achieved at optimized conditions. The symmetric supercapacitor assembly showed significant enhancement in both energy density and power density. It delivered an energy density of 95 Wh kg−1 at a power of 846 W kg−1. At a high-power density of 16.9 kW kg−1, the energy density can still be kept at 13 Wh kg−1. Cyclic stability was also checked for 1000 cycles at a current density of 10 Ag−1 having excellent retention, i.e., 96%.

The major drawbacks of the conventional methods for preparing polyaniline (PANI) are the large consumptions of toxic chemicals and long process durations. This paper presents a remarkably simple and green route for the chemical oxidative synthesis of PANI nanofibers, utilizing sodium phytate as a novel and environmentally friendly plant derived dopant. The process shows a remarkable reduction in the synthesis time and usage of toxic chemicals with good dispersibility and exceedingly high conductivity up to 10 S cm−1 of the resulting PANI at the same time. A detailed characterization of the PANI samples has been made showing excellent relationships between their structure and properties. Particularly, the electrochemical properties of the synthesized PANI as electrode material for supercapacitors were analyzed. The PANI sample, synthesized at pre-optimized conditions, exhibited impressive supercapacitor performance having a high specific capacitance (Csp) (832.5 Fg−1 and 528 Fg−1 at 1 Ag−1 and 40 Ag−1, respectively) as calculated from galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) curves. A good rate capability with a capacitance retention of 67.6% of its initial value was observed. The quite low solution resistance (Rs) value of 281.0 × 10−3 Ohm and charge transfer resistance value (Rct) of 7.44 Ohm represents the excellence of the material. Further, a retention of 95.3% in coulombic efficiency after 1000 charge discharge cycles, without showing any significant degradation of the material, was also exhibited.

Reduced graphene oxide/poly(pyrrol-co-thiophene) (RGO/COP), prepared by facile in-situ oxidative copolymerization, is reported as a new hybrid composite material with improved supercapacitance performance as compared to the respective homopolymers and their composites with RGO. The as-prepared hybrid materials were characterized with ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The electrochemical behavior and energy storage properties of the materials were tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrostatic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in 0.5 M H2SO4. The specific capacitance (Csp) for RGO/COP calculated from the CV curve was 467 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. While the Csp calculated from the GCD was 417 F/g at a current density of 0.81 A/g. The energy density calculated was 86.4 Wh/kg with a power density of 630 W/kg. The hybrid composite exhibits good cyclic stability with 65% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. The present work brings a significance development of RGO/COP composites to the electrode materials for pseudocapacitive application.

Water pollution caused by industrial wastes containing heavy metals and dyes is a major environmental problem. This study reports on the synthesis, characterization, and utilizations of Polyaniline (PANI) and its composites with Fe3O4 for the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) and divalent nickel Ni(II) ions from water. The adsorption data were fitted in Freudlich, Langmuir, Tempkin, Dubbanin–Ruddishkawich (D–R), and Elovich adsorption isotherms. The Freundlich isotherm fits more closely to the adsorption data with R2 values of 0.9472, 0.9890, and 0.9684 for adsorption of Cr(VI) on Fe3O4, PANI, and PANI/Fe3O4 composites, respectively, while for adsorption of Ni(II) these values were 0.9366, 0.9232, and 0.9307 respectively. The effects of solution pH, initial concentration, contact time, ionic strength, and adsorbent dosage on adsorption behavior were investigated. The adsorption ability of composites was compared with pristine PANI and Fe3O4 particles. Activation energy and other thermodynamic properties such as changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy indicated spontaneous and exothermic adsorption.

The synthesis of promising nanocomposite materials can always be tricky and depends a lot on the method of synthesis itself. Developing such synthesis routes, which are not only simple but also can effectively catch up the synergy of the compositing material, is definitely a worthy contribution towards nanomaterial science. Carbon-based materials, such as graphene oxide, and conjugative polymers, such as conductive polyaniline, are considered materials of the 21st century. This study involves a simple one pot synthesis route for obtaining a nanocomposite of polyaniline and graphene oxide with synergistic effects. The study was carried out in a systematic way by gradually changing the composition of the ingredients in the reaction bath until the formation of nanocomposite took place at some particular reaction parameters. These nanocomposites were then utilized for the fabrication of electrodes for aqueous symmetric supercapacitor devices utilizing gold or copper as current collectors. The device manifested a good capacitance value of 264 F/g at 1 A/g, magnificent rate performance, and capacitance retention of 84.09% at a high current density (10 A/g) when gold sheet electrodes were used as the current collectors. It also showed a capacitance retention of 79.83% and columbic efficiency of 99.83% after 2000 cycles.

Conducting polymers and carbon-based materials such as graphene oxide (GO) and activated carbon (AC) are the most promising capacitive materials, though both offer charge storage through different mechanisms. However, their combination can lead to some unusual results, offering improvement in certain properties in comparison with the individual materials. Cycling stability of supercapacitors devices is often a matter of concern, and extensive research is underway to improve this phenomena of supercapacitive devices. Herein, a high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor device was fabricated using graphene oxide−polyaniline (GO@PANI) nanocomposite as positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode. The device showed 142 F g−1 specific capacitance at 1 A g−1 current density with capacitance retention of 73.94% at higher current density (10 A g−1). Most importantly, the device exhibited very high electrochemical cycling stability. It retained 118.6% specific capacitance of the starting value after 10,000 cycles at 3 Ag−1 and with coulombic efficiency of 98.06 %, indicating great potential for practical applications. Very small solution resistance (Rs, 0.640 Ω) and charge transfer resistance (Rct, 0.200 Ω) were observed hinting efficient charge transfer and fast ion diffusion. Due to asymmetric combination, potential window was extended to 1.2 V in aqueous electrolyte, as a result higher energy density (28.5 Wh kg−1) and power density of 2503 W kg−1 were achieved at the current density 1 Ag−1. It also showed an aerial capacitance of 57 mF cm−2 at current 3.2 mA cm−2. At this current density, its energy density was maximum (0.92 mWh cm−2) with power density (10.47 W cm−2).

Conducting polymers (CPs), especially polyaniline (PANI) based hybrid materials have emerged as very interesting materials for the adsorption of heavy metals and dyes from an aqueous environment due to their electrical transport properties, fascinating doping/de-doping chemistry and porous surface texture. Acid Blue 40 (AB40) is one of the common dyes present in the industrial effluents. We have performed a comparative study on the removal of AB40 from water through the application of PANI, magnetic oxide (Fe3O4) and their composites. Prior to this study, PANI and its composites with magnetic oxide were synthesized through our previously reported chemical oxidative synthesis route. The adsorption of AB40 on the synthesized materials was investigated with UV-Vis spectroscopy and resulting data were analyzed by fitting into Tempkin, Freundlich, Dubinin−Radushkevich (D−R) and Langmuir isotherm models. The Freundlich isotherm model fits more closely to the adsorptions data with R2 values of 0.933, 0.971 and 0.941 for Fe3O4, PANI and composites, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of Fe3O4, PANI and composites was, respectively, 130.5, 264.9 and 216.9 mg g−1. Comparatively good adsorption capability of PANI in the present case is attributed to electrostatic interactions and a greater number of H-bonding. Effect of pH of solution, temperature, initial concentration of AB40, contact time, ionic strength and dose of adsorbent were also investigated. Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The activation energy of adsorption of AB40 on Fe3O4, PANI and composites were 30.12, 22.09 and 26.13 kJmol−1 respectively. Enthalpy change, entropy change and Gibbs free energy changes are −6.077, −0.026 and −11.93 kJ mol−1 for adsorption of AB40 on Fe3O4. These values are −8.993, −0.032 and −19.87 kJ mol−1 for PANI and −10.62, −0.054 and −19.75 kJ mol−1 for adsorption of AB40 on PANI/Fe3O4 composites. The negative sign of entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy changes indicate spontaneous and exothermic nature of adsorption.

An eco-friendly solid-state symmetric ultracapacitor (Uc) device was fabricated using a polyaniline graphene oxide composite co-doped with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) or camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), as electrode material utilizing gold sheets as current collectors. The device showed specific capacitance value of 150 F/g at 1 A/g current density, with a capacitance retention value of 93.33% at higher current density (10 A/g), indicating a high rate capability. An energy density of 15.30 Whkg−1 with a power density of 1716 Wkg−1 was obtained at the current density of 1 A/g. The values of areal capacitance, power density, and energy density, achieved at the current density of 5 mAcm−2, were 97.38 mFcm−2, 9.93 mWhcm−2, and 1.1 Wcm−2, respectively. Additionally, the device showed very low solution and charge transfer resistance (0.885 Ω and 0.475 Ω, respectively). A device was also fabricated utilizing copper as current collector; however, a lower value of specific capacitance (82 F/g) was observed in this case.

The surface of an Au-disc electrode was modified through electro polymerization of aniline, in the presence of dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid (DBSA) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution. The polymerization conditions were pre-optimized so that micelle formation and solution coagulation could be minimized and surfactant doped polyaniline film could be obtained through a quick, simple and one step polymerization route. The synthesized material was characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The effective surface area of the Au-disc, calculated through cyclic voltammetry, was immensely increased through a polyaniline (PANI) coating (0.04 and 0.11 cm2 for bare and PANI coated gold respectively). The modified electrode was utilized for ascorbic acid (AA) sensing. The changing pH of electrolyte and scan rate influenced the PANI electrode response towards AA. The modified electrode was highly selective towards AA oxidation and showed a very low limit of detection i.e. 0.0267 μmol·L−1. Moreover, the PANI coating greatly reduced the sensing potential for AA by a value of around 140 mV when compared to that on a bare gold electrode.

Polymer-coated electrodes are widely used for the detection and oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Conducting polyaniline (PANI), poly (2-hydroxyanilne) (PHA), and their copolymer poly(aniline-co-2-hydroxyaniline) (PACHA) were electrochemically synthesized on a gold substrate for H2O2 detection and analysis. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were used for electroanalysis. Both PACHA and PANI greatly reduced the gold overpotential for H2O2 oxidation with enhanced current densities. The PACHA- and PANI-coated electrodes showed oxidative peaks at 0.30 and 0.50 V, respectively, in the presence of 1.4 × 10−6 M H2O2, while PHA-coated electrodes exhibited no response. The fabricated electrodes displayed a linear response towards H2O2 in range of 2 × 10−7 to 1.4 × 10−6 M, with very low detection limits (LODs) of 1 × 10−7 M (for PACHA) and 1.15 × 10−7 M (for PANI) evaluated from CV data. In case of SWV and DPV, the LODs were found to be 1.78 × 10−7 M (for PACHA) and 1 × 10−7 M (for PANI), respectively. The materials exhibit high sensitivity of 650 A/Mcm2 and show good stability. The PACHA-coated electrode shows better capacitance (1.84 × 10−3 F) than PHA- (2.52 × 10−4 F) and PANI-coated (1.17 × 10−3 F) electrodes.

Fabrication of composites by developing simple techniques can be an effective way to modify some properties of individual materials. The present study relates to facile synthesis of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) contaminated polyaniline (PANI) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) composites without using any additives, plasticizers, or fibers. The physic-chemical and rheological properties of synthesized composites were analyzed. The composites showed enhancement in both storage and loss modules in comparison with the polymer matrices. The dynamic viscosity of the synthesized materials has inverse relation with that of temperature and shear stress. Rheological analysis reveals a continuous drop off in viscosity by increasing shear stress. The flow behavior was affected little by temperature. However, the overall results showed a shear thinning effect suggesting that polymer composites show non-Newtonian behavior. The addition of NaNO3 and KNO3 had a profound effect on shear viscosity of the materials, although the overall shear thinning behavior prevails. The PANI-PEO composite follows, as the first approximation models, both Bingham and modified Bingham models, while the salt contaminated system follows only the Bingham model. Both show shear stress values. The greater values of storage (G′) and loss (G″) modulus of composites than PANI-PEO blend suggests excellent elasticity, better stiffness, and good mechanical strength of the composites. Furthermore, the composites were more thermally stable than pure polymers.

The use of electroactive polyaniline (PANI) as an electrode material for a symmetric supercapacitor has been reported. The material was synthesized via interfacial polymerization, using ammonium per sulfate, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), and gasoline, respectively, in the oxidant, dopant, and novel organic phase, and was subsequently employed as an electrode material to design a binder-free symmetric capacitor. As properties of PANI rely on the method of synthesis as well as reaction parameters, the present combination of reactants, at pre-optimized conditions, in the interfacial polymerization, led to the formation of PANI exhibiting a high specific capacitance (712 Fg−1 at 0.5 Ag−1), a good rate capability (86% capacitance retention at 10 Ag−1), a very low solution resistance (Rs = 0.61 Ω), and a potential drop (IR = 0.01917 V). The device exhibited a high energy density of 28 Whkg−1, at a power density of 0.28 kWkg−1, and retained as high as 15.1 Whkg−1, at a high power density of 4.5 kWkg−1. Moreover, it showed an excellent cycling stability and retained 98.5% of coulombic efficiency after 5000 charge discharge cycles, without showing any signs of degradation of polymer.

Owing to its exciting physicochemical properties and doping−dedoping chemistry, polyaniline (PANI) has emerged as a potential adsorbent for removal of dyes and heavy metals from aqueous solution. Herein, we report on the synthesis of PANI composites with magnetic oxide (Fe3O4) for efficient removal of Basic Blue 3 (BB3) dye from aqueous solution. PANI, Fe3O4, and their composites were characterized with several techniques and subsequently applied for adsorption of BB3. Effect of contact time, initial concentration of dye, pH, and ionic strength on adsorption behavior were systematically investigated. The data obtained were fitted into Langmuir, Frundlich, Dubbanin-Rudiskavich (D-R), and Tempkin adsorption isotherm models for evaluation of adsorption parameters. Langmuir isotherm fits closely to the adsorption data with R2 values of 0.9788, 0.9849, and 0.9985 for Fe3O4, PANI, and PANI/Fe3O4 composites, respectively. The maximum amount of dye adsorbed was 7.474, 47.977, and 78.13 mg/g for Fe3O4, PANI, and PANI/Fe3O4 composites, respectively. The enhanced adsorption capability of the composites is attributed to increase in surface area and pore volume of the hybrid materials. The adsorption followed pseudo second order kinetics with R2 values of 0.873, 0.979, and 0.999 for Fe3O4, PANI, and PANI/Fe3O4 composites, respectively. The activation energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy changes, and entropy changes were found to be 11.14, −32.84, −04.05, and −0.095 kJ/mol for Fe3O4, 11.97, −62.93, −07.78, and −0.18 kJ/mol for PANI and 09.94, −74.26, −10.63, and −0.210 kJ/mol for PANI/Fe3O4 respectively, which indicate the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption process.

The cost effective synthesis of electroactive polyaniline (PANI) while retaining its desirable properties is one of the most debatable and challenging tasks for researchers in the field. Herein, we report a cost effective inverse emulsion polymerization pathway for the synthesis of soluble and processable PANI salt by using diesel as a novel dispersion medium. Different reaction parameters and their effects on the properties and yield of polyaniline were optimized. The polymer exhibited a highly porous morphology and was found to be stable up to 417 °C. The PANI salt showed good solubility in common solvents, such as chloroform, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and in a 1:3 mixtures by volume of 2-propanol and toluene. The coating of the synthesized PANI salt on stainless steel has shown good corrosion resistant behavior in marine water by reducing the corrosion rate to 67.9% as compared to uncoated stainless steel.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known as nano-architectured allotropes of carbon, having graphene sheets that are wrapped forming a cylindrical shape. Rolling of graphene sheets in different ways makes CNTs either metals or narrow-band semiconductors. Over the years, researchers have devoted much attention to understanding the intriguing properties CNTs. They exhibit some unusual properties like a high degree of stiffness, a large length-to-diameter ratio, and exceptional resilience, and for this reason, they are used in a variety of applications. These properties can be manipulated by controlling the diameter, chirality, wall nature, and length of CNTs which are in turn, synthesis procedure-dependent. In this review article, various synthesis methods for the production of CNTs are thoroughly elaborated. Several characterization methods are also described in the paper. The applications of CNTs in various technologically important fields are discussed in detail. Finally, future prospects of CNTs are outlined in view of their commercial applications.

A comprehensive study of thermally treated polyaniline in its emeraldine salt form is presented here. It offers an understanding of the thermal stability of the polymer. Emeraldine salt was prepared by a novel emulsion polymerization pathway using dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid together as dopants. The effect of temperature and heating rate on the degradation of this emeraldine salt was studied via thermogravimetric analysis. The thermally analyzed sample was collected at various temperatures, that is, 250, 490, 500, and 1000°C. The gradual changes in the structure of the emeraldine salt were followed through cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that emeraldine salt shows high thermal stability up to 500°C. This is much higher working temperature for the use of emeraldine salt in higher temperature applications. Further heat treatment seems to induce deprotonation in emeraldine salt. Cyclic voltammetry and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed that complete deprotonation takes place at 1000°C where it loses its electrical conductivity. It is interesting to note that after the elimination of the dopants, the basic backbone of emeraldine salt was not destroyed. The results reveal that the dopants employed have a stability effect on the skeleton of emeraldine salt.