Influence of ammonium hydroxide treatment on structural stability of polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

摘要

The composites consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) core and polyaniline (PANI) shell were prepared in aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, and then a dedoping process was achieved through a simple ammonium hydroxide (NH_4OH) treatment. The influences of NH_4OH treatment on the morphology, microstructure and thermal stability of the as-prepared composites were studied. It is found that after the removal of hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a volatile dopant and the low molecular weight components, structural stability of the treated composite could be achieved, leading to a significant enhancement on thermal properties.