Polyaniline-CdS nanocomposites: effect of camphor sulfonic acid doping on structural, microstructural, optical and electrical properties

Abstract

Nanocomposites of CdS nanocrystals with conducting polyaniline doped with camphor sulfonic acid (CSA) have been prepared by spin coating technique and investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy and electrical transport method. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed broad peaks due to formation of nanoparticles of CdS in polyaniline matrix. FESEM showed that the transformation of morphology from agglomeration to nanopetals. The FTIR spectra confirmed the interaction between CSA and polyaniline (PANi)-CdS nanocomposite. The UV-visible spectrums revealed the enhancement of doping level for the PANi-CdS nanocomposites which is assigned to the existence of greater number of charges on the polymer backbone. DC electrical conductivity studies showed an increase in conductivity of PANi-CdS nanocomposites from 6.9 x 10(-6) to 3.14 x 10(-4) due to addition of CSA (10-50 %).