Synthesis of high conductivity Polyaniline/Ag/graphite nanosheet composites via ultrasonic technique

A new process for the synthesis of high conductivity polyaniline/Ag/graphite nanosheet (PANI/Ag/NanoG) composites was developed. Graphite nanosheet was prepared by treating the expanded graphite in aqueous alcohol solution using sonication, and a uniform silver film about 470 nm thick was obtained on graphite nanosheet surface via an improved electroless plating method. Then PANI/Ag/NanoG composites were fabricated via in situ polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of silver coated graphite nanosheet through using ultrasonic technique. The sliver particles and composites were evidenced by scanning and transmission electron microscopy examinations, the results showed that the silver coated graphite nanosheet particles played an important role in forming conducting bridge in polyaniline matrix. According to the electrically test, the conductivity of the PANI/Ag/NanoG composites was dramatically increased compared with pure PANI. From the thermogravimetric analysis, the PANI/Ag/NanoG composites exhibited a beneficial effect on the thermal stability of pure PANI.