One-step synthesis of polyaniline–silver cryogels

Polyaniline–silver cryogels were prepared by a single-step cryopolymerization with a mixed oxidant consisting of ammonium peroxydisulfate and silver nitrate for in situ incorporation of silver particles. The macroporous structure of the materials and successful introduction of silver microparticles were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy paired with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Changing of the silver nitrate content in the initial oxidant mixture was shown to be a facile way for controlling silver particles load in the resulting cryogels with a maximum achieved value of 25 wt%. Vibrational spectroscopy showed that the cryogels prepared using higher silver nitrate concentration contained more aniline oligomers which led to the moderate decrease in their conductivity and tensile modulus. Nevertheless, polyaniline–silver cryogels with the highest load of silver had a good conductivity (0.33 S cm–1) and mechanical stability making it a promising material for electrochemical and antibacterial applications.