Raman study of polyaniline nanofibers prepared by interfacial polymerization

Polyaniline nanofibers were synthesized by interfacial polymerization of aniline. Polyaniline so formed was studied using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy. TEM of polymer dispersion shows the presence of fibers having diameter around 30-80 nm. Strikingly different Raman spectra were observed from the polyaniline film, which were related to two dissimilar areas on the film. SEM of polyaniline films shows fibrous as well as flake like structures scattered in fiber matrix. Raman spectra of the films heat treated from 25 degrees C to 300 degrees C were taken to study the structural variations induced by the change of temperature at these two regions. Many applications of polymer films are dependent on the homogeneity of the systems. In this work we intend to employ Raman Spectroscopy as an indispensable tool for looking into the non-uniformities of the polyaniline films. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.