The carbonization of colloidal polyaniline nanoparticles to nitrogen-containing carbon analogues

The carbonization of nanostructures afforded by conducting polymers represents a new route to the preparation of functional nanostructured carbons. The exposure of colloidal polyaniline particles stabilized with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) or silica nanoparticles at 650 degrees C in inert atmosphere led, in both cases, to nitrogen-containing carbonaceous materials with specific surface areas of 200 and 205 m(2) g(-1), respectively, and conductivities of 8.3 x 10(-7) and 1.9 x 10(-10) S cm(-1), respectively. The latter material contained 77 wt% of silica. The original particulate nanostructure of the samples was preserved after carbonization. The carbon-to-nitrogen atomic ratio was 7.2 and 7.9; the nitrogen content in the carbonized polyaniline-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) particles was 10.8 wt%. Thermogravimetric analysis in air revealed their stability to be up to 500 degrees C. This is comparable with commercial multi-wall carbon nanotubes, which have similar areas of application. The nitrogen-containing carbons are potentially useful as supports for catalysts and in applications where carbon of higher hydrophilicity would be of benefit. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry