Synthesis of expanded graphite filled polyaniline composites and evaluation of their electrical and electrochemical properties

A series of conducting polyaniline/expanded graphite (PA/EG) composite was synthesized by in situ polymerization of aniline in acid medium followed by the addition of expanded graphite in various proportions (1, 2 and 3 wt%). The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible absorption, X-ray diffraction and by electrical conductivity measurements. The dc electrical conductivities of the composites were dramatically increased compared with pure polyaniline and found to be 0.50 x 10(2) S/cm to 6.11 x 10(2) S/cm. The PA/EG composites showed a reversible electrochemical response up to 150th repeated cycles as revealed by the cyclic voltametry study.