Behavior of polyaniline–dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite films

Abstract Polyaniline–dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA)/reduced graphene oxide (PDR) nanocomposites were synthesized through the oxidative polymerization of aniline hydrochloride in the presence of dissolved DBSA and reduced graphene oxide (GOR) in an aqueous solution. An in situ deposition technique was employed in this synthesis. The Fourier transformation infrared (FT‐IR), UV–vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicated strong interactions between PANI, DBSA, and GOR in the polymer composite. The temperature‐dependent DC electrical conductivity of the composite was studied in the range of 300–500 K to understand its conduction behavior. The properties on the mechanism of electrical transport of the PDR composite were analyzed using Mott's variable range of hopping. The newly synthesized polymer composites can be utilized in various fields, such as electric devices, sensors, and functional coatings, because of their high electrical conductivity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers