Recent advances in polyaniline composites with metals, metalloids and nonmetals

The recent progress made in the period 2010–2012 in the preparation and application of polyaniline (PANI) composites with metals, metalloids and nonmetals is reviewed. A systematic overview of PANI composites with noble (Au, Pt, Pd, and Ag) and non-noble transition metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Ta, Zn, Mn, Zr, and rare earth metal Ce), as well as with main-group post-transition metals (Bi and Al) and alloys, is given. PANI/Si composites were in the focus of this review regarding PANI/metalloid composites, while an overview of PANI/nonmetal composites was focused on PANI/C, PANI/S and PANI/Se composites. Special attention was paid to PANI composites with C nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene. Ternary PANI/metal/nonmetal composites are also comprehensively reviewed from an application point of view.