Synthesis and electrochemical performance of sandwich-like polyaniline/graphene composite nanosheets

Sandwich-like polyaniline/graphene composite nanosheets have been synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline monomer on the surfaces of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets in the absence of any surfactants. The influences of the mass ratios of aniline and reduced graphene oxide on the sizes and morphologies of polyaniline/graphene nanocomposites have been investigated. As the mass ratio of aniline and reduced graphene oxide is smaller than 12:1, polymerization reaction of aniline occurs on the surfaces of reduced graphene oxide by heterogeneous nucleation to form sandwich-like polyaniline/graphene composite nanosheets. However, besides sandwich-like polyaniline/graphene composite nanosheets, polyaniline nanofibers are formed by homogeneous nucleation. In comparison with reduced graphene oxide and polyaniline nanofibers, the obtained sandwich-like polyaniline/graphene composite nanosheets exhibit good electrochemical performances due to the synergistic effect between graphene and polyaniline. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.