Itaconic acid–doped polyaniline/MWCNTs nanocomposites for microwave absorbing materials

Abstract

Itaconic acid–doped polyaniline (PANI)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization for microwave absorbing materials. The interaction between PANI and MWCNTs and the influence of MWCNTs loadings on the properties of their nanocomposites were investigated by various measurements, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and network analyzer. The electron delocalization in the composites is associated with the π–π* interaction between the surface of MWCNTs and the quinoid rings of PANI. The conductivity, crystallinity, and thermal stability of the nanocomposites with different morphologies have been increased due to the introduction of different MWCNTs loadings. Moreover, the microwave-absorbing property of itaconic acid-doped PANI in the reflection loss value and in different frequency areas is improved by the incorporation of MWCNTs. The nanocomposites are promising candidates in microwave absorption applications.