Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline nanofiber via emulsion polymerization

A supercapacitor is a device that can store and discharge energy at a better rate than conventional
batteries. Currently, conducting polymers (CPs) that as polyaniline (PAni), and transition metal oxides
(TMOs) such as silver oxide are utilized to develop the Ag3O4/PAni composite supercapacitors with high
electrical conductivity and capacitance retention. According to research, a simple synthesis technique
normally results in PAni agglomeration that reduces its electrical conductivity. Therefore, the objective of this
study was to improve the electrical characteristics of PAni for further development as a composite supercapacitor. This study used CTAB as a surfactant to modify PAni into a nanotubular shape. The effects
of polymerization conditions, such as temperatures, initiator ratios, and dopant and surfactant concentrations, on the conductivity of samples, were evaluated. It was found that the highest electrical conductivity of around 2.2 × 10-2 S/cm was obtained when using the low temperature, the ratio of aniline to initiator was 1:1, the 0.09 M of CTAB and the 2 M of hydrochloric acid (HCl).