Sensing of silver ions by nanotubular polyaniline film deposited on quartz-crystal in a microbalance

Nanotubular polyaniline film was deposited onto the electrode of the quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM). The film in the form of emeraldine base was exposed to a solution of silver nitrate. The reduction for silver ions took place and silver nanoparticles were produced at the film surface. The deposition of silver was monitored by using the QCM and the UV–vis spectroscopy. The morphology of the film before and after the silver deposition was studied by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Silver nanoparticles had sizes of about 50–120 nm and globular and triangular shape. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure of the composite. The present approach could be used for noble-metal recovery in waste waters.