Preparation and characterization of polydiphenylamine/multi‐walled carbon nanotube composites

Abstract

Abstract We describe the synthesis of methane sulfonic acid (MeSA)‐doped poly(diphenylamine) (PDPA) with carboxylic groups containing multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (c‐MWNTs) via in situ polymerization. Diphenylamine monomers were adsorbed on to the surface of c‐MWNTs and polymerized to form PDPA/c‐MWNT composites. SEM and TEM images indicated two different types of materials: the thinner fibrous phase and the larger globular phase. The individual fibrous phase had a diameter around 100–130 nm, which should be the carbon nanotubes (diameter 20–30 nm) coated with a PDPA layer. The structure of PDPA/c‐MWNT composites was characterized by FTIR, UV‐visible spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction patterns. The electrical conductivities of PDPA/c‐MWNT composites were much higher than that of PDPA without c‐MWNTs. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry