Study on the infrared property of polyaniline/multi-wall carbon nanotube composite

Composites of polyaniline (PANI) and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) were synthesized by in situ polymerization with different MWNT content. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The SEM photos indicated that a mass of MWNT was enchased into PANI matrix when the content of MWNT was low. With the MWNT content increases, the surface of MWNT was covered with PANI and formed the core-shell structure. From the FT-IR spectroscopy of the composites, it can be confirmed that there was interaction between PANI and multi-wall carbon nanotube. The composites had better thermal stability than pure PANI. Infrared emission property of the composites was analyzed by an IR-II infrared emissivity instrument and an infrared camera. It was found that infrared emission of the composites was lower than pure PANI in all wavelength range and infrared emissivity value was related to the content of MWNT in the composites.