Gold nanoparticles–polyaniline composite material: Synthesis, structure and electrical properties

Gold nanoparticles–polyaniline composite materials were synthesised and their structure and electrical properties were analised. Different stabilizing agents were used resulting in the formation of nanoparticles with sizes within 5–10 nm. The best results were obtained when the composite material was obtained during the polymerization of the anilinium salt in the presence of the mixture composed by dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid and 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid stabilized gold nanoparticles. Electrical properties of this composite material demonstrated the formation of Schottky barriers between polyaniline and gold particles, an essential property for its use in bio-inspired complex information handling materials.