Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline paramelaconite in polyaniline matrix

A simple method for the fabrication of nanocrystalline Cu4O3 in polyaniline is reported. An aqueous solution of copper(II) acetate and aniline (1:10 mole ratio) is irradiated by ultrasound to produce nanophased CU4O3 embedded in a polyaniline matrix. The as-prepared Cu4O3-polyaniline is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism for the fabrication of Cu4O3-polyaniline is proposed and discussed. This method is general and works also for the production of nanocrystalline Fe3O4 and Cu2O embedded in polyaniline. This technique is an easy route for the production of other metal oxides embedded in polyaniline as well.