Rudimentary syntheses of solution processable polyaniline and graphene oxide materials for energy device applications

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Electrically conductive polymers (CPs) play a major role in organic electronics and are alternatives to traditional energy and electronic materials. The focus of this research is the rudimentary syntheses of polyaniline (PANI) as a processable and electrically conductive polymer, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) materials for energy conversion or storage device. Novel and augmented syntheses are conducted intended for the improvement of processability, conductivity, and development of PANI and GO material film. We have observed that the bulky dopant, dioctylsulfosuccinate sodium salt (DSS), improved the solubility of PANI. The variation of solvent was attempted to increase the electrical conductivity, with o-xylene showing improved dispersion capability over toluene. Additionally, the synthesized PANIs exhibited differences in both film formation and conductivity. GO was produced from a variation of a modified Hummers’ method. This new method incorporated the use of inexpensive commercial materials working toward the synthesis, purification, and development of GO. Bulky commercial grade graphite powder was used in place of the typical graphite flakes. Furthermore, cellulose filter paper was coopted in place of the standard metal sieve. Through effective grinding of graphite, the resultant synthesized material was good quality GO. Afterwards, thermal treatment applied under vacuum successfully reduced GO. The subsequent films fabricated from heat treated GO showed crystalline structure and improved conductivity over other GO materials.

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