Synthesis, characterization and charge transport mechanism in conducting polyaniline/V2O5 composites

Conducting polyaniline/V2O5 composites have been synthesized byan ‘in situ’ deposition technique using the fine-grade powder (average particle size of approximately 400 nm) of V2O5 in the polymerization reaction of aniline. The composite thus obtained is studied by physico-chemical characterization techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the study of the charge transport mechanism reveals that the charge transport is mainly governed by the space charge effects in such a composite. A large hysterisis in the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, which in turn depend on the composite formation (i.e. the amount of the V2O5 added), is also observed.