Preparation, Characterization, and Anticorrosive Properties of Polyaniline Nanotubes

Self-assembled polyaniline nanotubes were synthesized using sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate both as dopant and soft template by the oxidative polymerization of aniline. Electrical conductivity, electrochemical behavior, and solubility of polyaniline nanotubes were investigated and compared with that of conventional polyaniline synthesized similarly. Polyaniline nanotubes showed enhanced electrical, electrochemical, and solubility properties. Emeraldine base nanotube coating exhibited superior anticorrosion effect, especially in NaCl (3.5%w/w) solution. According to the results of Tafel slope analysis, the corrosion current of iron coupons coated with polyaniline nanotubes was much lower than that of coupons coated with conventional polyaniline in all studied corrosive environments.