Synthesis of uniform polyaniline nanorods with the assistance of ethylene glycol

The uniform polyaniline (PANI) nanorods were prepared by the chemical method with the assistance of ethylene glycol (EG) medium. The morphology and structure of the PANI nanorods were characterized by SEM, TEM, FTIR, and UV–vis technique, and the effects of stirring on the morphology, structure, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical behavior of PANI were investigated. The results showed that as-synthesized PANI can be facilely dispersed in water and ethanol to form colloids. During the reaction, the H-bonding between molecules of PANI and EG plays a key role for the one-dimensional. In the presence of stirring, uniform PANI nanorods with diameters of 50–80 nm and length up to 400–800 nm can be obtained, and the aspect ratio is about 4. While in the absence of stirring, the aspect ratio of nanorods increases to more than 10, the diameter and length are 20–60 nm and 0.2–1 μm, respectively. In addition, the stirring can result in a higher doping level, conductivity, and degree of oxidation. Based on these results, a possible formation mechanism of PANI nanostructures is presented.