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Tuning percolation speed in layer-by-layer assembled polyaniline–nanocellulose composite films

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Abstract

Polyaniline of low molecular weight (ca. 10 kDa) is combined with cellulose nanofibrils (sisal, 4–5 nm average cross-sectional edge length, with surface sulphate ester groups) in an electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition process to form thin nano-composite films on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) substrates. AFM analysis suggests a growth in thickness of ca. 4 nm per layer. Stable and strongly adhering films are formed with thickness-dependent coloration. Electrochemical measurements in aqueous H2SO4 confirm the presence of two prominent redox waves consistent with polaron and bipolaron formation processes in the polyaniline–nanocellulose composite. Measurements with a polyaniline–nanocellulose film applied across an ITO junction (a 700 nm gap produced by ion beam milling) suggest a jump in electrical conductivity at ca. 0.2 V vs. SCE and a propagation rate (or percolation speed) two orders of magnitude slower compared to that observed in pure polyaniline This effect allows tuning of the propagation rate based on the nanostructure architecture. Film thickness-dependent electrocatalysis is observed for the oxidation of hydroquinone.

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Acknowledgements

Sara Shariki would like to thank Gharib Shariki and Maryam Shirmardi for financial support for this work. S.Y.L. thanks the University of Nottingham for a “Dean of Engineering International Research Scholarship” and the University of Nottingham Graduate School for a “Building Experience and Skills Travel Scholarship”. Dr. Suguo Huo and Dr. Paul Warburton are gratefully acknowledged for allowing access to the EPSRC FIB service at UCL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK

    Sara Shariki, Charles Y. Cummings, Liza Rassaei, Matthew J. Wasbrough, Karen J. Edler, Michael J. Bonné & Frank Marken

  2. School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    Soon Yee Liew, Wim Thielemans & Darren A. Walsh

  3. Faculty of Engineering, Process and Environmental Research Division, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    Soon Yee Liew & Wim Thielemans

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  1. Sara Shariki
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  2. Soon Yee Liew
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  3. Wim Thielemans
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  5. Charles Y. Cummings
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  9. Michael J. Bonné
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  10. Frank Marken
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Correspondence to Frank Marken.

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Shariki, S., Liew, S.Y., Thielemans, W. et al. Tuning percolation speed in layer-by-layer assembled polyaniline–nanocellulose composite films. J Solid State Electrochem 15, 2675–2681 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-010-1261-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-010-1261-z

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