Facile fabrication and characterization of novel polyaniline/titanate composite nanotubes directed by block copolymer

In this work, we present a facile method for preparation of novel polyaniline(PANI)/titanate composite nanotubes by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization directed by poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO) triblock copolymer. The block copolymer adsorbed onto the surface of the titanate nanotubes acts as a soft template. The obtained nanocomposite has a core–shell structure in which titanate nanotubes are encapsulated by uniform PANI layers. Their structure and morphology were characterized by various experimental techniques. A possible formation mechanism of composite nanotubes is also proposed in the paper.