ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Polyaniline micro-/nanostructures: morphology control and formation mechanism exploration

Yu Li, Jian-Long Zheng, Jing Feng, and Xin-Li Jing

Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 28 Xianning West Road, 710049, Xi’an, China

E-mail: xljing@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

Abstract: This article provides a brief overview of recent work by the authors’ group as well as related researches reported by others on controlling the morphology and exploring the formation mechanism of typical micro-/nanostructures of polyaniline (PANI) and aniline oligomers through template-free aniline chemical oxidation process. The contents are organised as follows: (i) tuning the morphology of aniline polymerisation products by employing ultrasonic irradiation, mass transfer, and pH profiles; (ii) exploring the formation mechanism of micro-/nanostructures during aniline chemical oxidation through examining the precipitation behaviours of aniline oligomers and polymers in a post-synthetic system; (iii) tailoring PANI micro-/nanostuctures into pre-designed morphology by introducing certain heterogeneous nucleation centres; (iv) application potential of PANI nanofibres in the areas of transparent conductive film, electromagnetic interference-shielding coating and graphene-based electrode materials. This short review concludes with our perspectives on the challenges faced in gaining the exact formation mechanism of PANI micro-/nanostructures and the future research possibility for morphologically precisely controlled PANI micro-/nanostructures.

Keywords: polyaniline – micro-/nanostructure – oligomer – self-assembly – formation mechanism

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0347-3

Chemical Papers 67 (8) 876–890 (2013)