Mikhaylov S. Formation features and properties of nanostructured conducting polymers based composites with metal oxides for ammonia and amines detection

The object of research is the process of formation of polyaniline and polypyrrole nanocomposites with metal oxides. The research goal is to reveal formation peculiarities and properties of nanostructured composite materials based on conducting polymers and metal oxides nanoparticles that are sensitive to ammonia and amines. Research methods include RedOx and pH monitoring, FTIR and UV-spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, thermogravimetry, liquid chromatography, conductivity measurements and sensor tests. The new approach to study kinetics of aniline polymerization process by simultaneous RedOx and pH monitoring of reaction medium was proposed. For the first time the influence of sulfonic acids and metal oxides on the aniline polymerization process and molecular characteristics of the obtained polymer was shown. For the first time a linear correlation between the nanoparticles content and reciprocal duration of separate stages of polymerization was shown. Formed "core-shell" nanocomposites have sensitivity to ammonia and amines of about 2 times higher than the unfilled polymer. Developed new materials can be used in the manufacturing of chemoresistive sensors' active layers.