Studies on Synthesis, Characterization and Transport Properties of Ta2O5 Doped Polyaniline Composites

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) and PANI/Ta2O5 composite samples were prepared using chemical oxidative polymerization technique in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCl) at room temperature. The effect of Ta2O5 on surface morphology and structural changes have been investigated and evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. The XRD pattern of the PANI and PANI/Ta2O5 confirm the formation of PANI and its composite. The average crystallite size of the PANI is 2.86 nm which is increased to 46.80 nm when Ta2O5 was doped in the PANI matrix. SEM micrographs of the composite confirm the morphological changes in the composite materials. In the electrical conductivity studies, ac conductivity was carried as function of frequency and dc conductivity was studied as a function of temperature. Further to describe the dielectric properties of the PANI and composite, dielectric constant and dielectric loss was studied as a function of frequency.