Electrochemical synthesis and electrochemical behavior of highly ordered polyaniline nanofibrils through AAO templates

Highly ordered polyaniline (PANi) nanofibrils arrays have been fabricated within the pores of porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template membrane by electrochemical polymerization. The packed array of columnar hexagonal cells with central, cylindrical uniformly of AAO template results in the PANi growing more ordered and uniformly than in films synthesized without spatial restriction. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy experiments were done to determine the surface appearance of PANi fibril array. The electrochemical behavior and structure of PANi nanofibrils were examined by cyclic voltammetry and Fourier transmission infrared. The experimental results indicated the fibrils are composed of PANi. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy supplied the surface analysis confidence on the PANi nanofibrils. The electrochemical experimental result indicated that the spatial restraint in the pores of AAO membrane is sufficient to induce the formation of more ordered PANi chains in the AAO membrane.