https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2017-11562-1
Regular Article
Enhanced structural and optical properties of the polyaniline-calcium tungstate (PANI-CaWO4 nanocomposite for electronics applications
1
Nanoscience Research Centre, Department of Physics, Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, 686 661, Kerala, India
2
Department of Physics, Newman College, Thodupuzha, 685 585, Kerala, India
3
Department of Physics, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, 686 666, Kerala, India
4
Department of Physics, Vimala College, Thrissur, 680 009, Kerala, India
5
Department of Optoelectronics, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, 695 581, Kerala, India
* e-mail: nanoncm@gmail.com
Received:
12
February
2017
Accepted:
18
May
2017
Published online:
30
June
2017
In this article, we report the synthesis and characterization of polyaniline-calcium tungstate nanocomposite, a novel material for potential applications. The PANI-CaWO4 nanocomposite was prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of CaWO4 nanoparticles dispersed in ethanol. Investigations using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the nanocomposite of PANI with CaWO4 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed almost uniform distribution of CaWO4 nanoparticles in the polyaniline matrix. These studies also confirmed electronic structure modification as a result of incorporating CaWO4 nanoparticles in PANI. Composite formation resulted in large decrease in the optical band gap and enhanced photoluminescence. The augmented structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of the PANI-CaWO4 nanocomposite can be used to explore potential applications in micro- and optoelectronics. This is the first report presenting synthesis and characterization of the PANI-CaWO4 nanocomposite.
© Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, 2017