Bimodal dispersion of silver nanoparticles for conducting polymer

Abstract

The effects of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) on the dispersion of bimodal silver nanoparticles inside polyaniline emeraldine base (Ag-PANIEB) as nanocomposite were investigated and discussed. Firstly, the bimodal Ag nanoparticles were synthesized with the help of precipitation method by semi-batch reactor and then ultrasonically blended inside the PANIEB matrix in the presence/absence of IPA followed by various characterization of Ag-PANIEB nanocomposite. It was observed that the bimodal dispersion of Ag nanoparticles inside PAIEB thin film was significantly improved in the presence of isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Such bimodal dispersion of Ag nanoparticles in the presence of IPA also enhances the electrical response of the Ag-PANIEB nanocomposite. A mechanism explaining the improvement in electrical response of bimodal Ag-PANIEB nanocomposite in the presence of IPA is proposed and discussed. © 2011 IEEE.