Synthesis and characterization of poly (m-toluidine)-silver halide nanocomposites: thermal properties and its conducting behavior

Inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposite of functional polyaniline derivatives has been synthesized successfully using chemical oxidative polymerization of m-toluidine (PMT) with silver nanocolloids (Ag) coated with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The Ag-PMT nanocomposites were characterized using different analytical techniques such as UV–visible, FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction methods (XRD), and thermal analysis. Conducting properties of these nanocomposites were studied using four-probe method. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that an enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposite as compared with the pure PMT polymer. Ag-PMT nanocomposite with ~50 nm diameter was observed in the SEM analysis. SEM image also reveals that the silver nanoparticles were well dispersed and embedded in the PMT matrix. XRD pattern shows that the nanocomposite is of crystalline nature. Interestingly, the electrical conductivity of Ag-PMT nanocomposite exhibits three orders of magnitude, i.e. 0.1936 S cm−1 higher than that of pure PMT 1.09 × 10−3 S cm−1. The nanocomposite material shows better solubility than the polyaniline.