Synthesis, characterization, thermal and electrical properties of composite of polyaniline with cobaltmonoethanolamine complex

The present paper involves the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) composite with cobaltmonoethanolamine [Co(mea)2(H2O)2Cl2] complex via in situ oxidative polymerization by ammonium persulphate. The complex has been synthesized by refluxing method. The composite has been subjected to UV-Visible spectra, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction, SEM and electrical conductivity characterization techniques. Thermal analysis has been done by using TG and DSC techniques. FT-IR absorption peaks confirm the insertion of complex in the backbone of PANI. SEM of the composite also supports its successful synthesis. The XRD of composite also shows crystalline structure hence, proving the successful synthesis of PANI. Thermal analysis shows enhanced thermal stability of polyaniline. In the present composite system, the polymerization of PANI with [Co(mea)2(H2O)2Cl2] complex causes strong interfacial interactions between PANI and [Co(mea)2(H2O)2Cl2] complex crystallites, also suggested by the FT-IR and XRD studies, thereby changing the molecular conformation of PANI from compact coil structure to an expanded coil-like structure. As a consequence, there is an enhancement in the conductivity of composite of PANI up to certain dopant concentration. The anticorrosive property of a coating of PANI/[Co(mea)2(H2O)2Cl2] composite on mild steel coupon in 3 M HNO3 was evaluated using weight loss measurement and compared with pure polyaniline coating. The said composite has shown anticorrosive property and can thus, act as a potent dopant for enhancing corrosion resistance of PANI coatings.