Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline: nanospheres, nanorods, and nanotubes—catalytic application for sulfoxidation reactions

Abstract The synthesis of nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) with different morphologies by simple alkali‐guided template‐free method followed by doping them with vanadium has been described. The synthesized polyaniline nanoparticles have been well characterized by various techniques. Further, the catalytic activity of the undoped and doped PANI nanostructures for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides in water has been studied. It was observed that the special morphology of nanostructures plays an important role in enhancement of catalytic activity. Vanadium‐doped PANI nanotubes and nanorods showed higher activity and selectivity than nanospheres. The catalyst has been reused for five consecutive cycles with consistent activity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.