MnO2-filled multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline nanocomposites with enhanced interfacial interaction and electronic properties

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of new ternary nanocomposites combining polyaniline (PANI), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and manganese dioxide (MnO2). MnO2 was successfully incorporated within the MWCNTs. In situ polymerization of aniline in the presence of MWCNTs-MnO2 was carried out to form PANI/MWCNT-MnO2 nanocomposites, which were characterized by UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, as well as electrical conductivity measurements. The PANI/MWCNT-MnO2 nanocomposites showed enhanced electrical conductivity compared to neat PANI and PANI/MWCNTs without MnO2 addition. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.