Carbon nanotubes/polyaniline nanocomposite coatings: Preparation, rheological behavior, and their application in paper surface treatment

Conventional cellulosic paper, rendered electro-conductive, may hold considerable promise for diversified applications in such areas as electro-magnetic interference shielding and energy storage. Here, an electro-conductive cellulosic paper was prepared by surface application of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites onto a conventional base paper. MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline with different contents of MWCNTs and used as electro-conductive filler for the fabrication of electro-conductive surface-coated paper. The achieved MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites exhibited a core-shell structure, as evidenced by TEM. Effects of feeding ratios of MWCNTs on the rheological behavior of nanocomposite coatings, as well as the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of surface-coated paper were studied. Results revealed that the rheological behavior of the nanocomposite coatings showed strong dependence on the MWCNTs content. Moreover, both the electro-conductivity and mechanical properties of surface-coated paper were improved as a function of surface application of MWCNTs/PANI nanocomposites, particularly, in presence of an optimum content of MWCNTs. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46329.