Water-processible, conductive polyaniline (PANI) nanoassemblies can be synthesized with tunable morphologies of varied dimensions that enable applications in clean energy. For example, in all-solid-state supercapacitors for charge storage, two-dimensional sheet structures are desired for optimal electrical double layer capacitance. We are exploring morphosynthetic routes with varied temperature, time, concentration, and choice of oxidant to direct the self-assembly and in situ polymerization of aniline. Two-dimensional stacked PANI nanosheets were achieved with reduced temperature and low ammonium persulfate oxidant concentration using a six-hour reaction time. Inkjet printing was employed to produce scalable PANI films with targeted dimensionality through controlled ejection of PANI nanoinks onto conductive glass substrates. In addition, Laponite clay nanoparticles were used to tune polymer particle size, viscosity and surface tension. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed control over PANI morphology while conductive AFM was used to probe differences in film conductivity.

Inkjet printing of water-processible polyaniline films for clean energy applications

251st National Meeting (2016)

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