Electrocatalytic properties of polyaniline–TiO2 nanocomposites

An efficient methodology of polyaniline–TiO2 nancomposite (PAniTNC) was developed through various proportions of ceramic added by chemical polymerization at room temperature. The chemical polymerization reactions were carried out using potassium perdisulphate as an oxidizing agent. The particle size of PAniTNC was found in the range of 8–15 nm as analysed by transmission electron microscopy. The Ti–O characteristic stretching bands at 630 and 558 cm?1, indicating the presence of TiO2 in polyaniline matrix was confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The characterization of the nanocomposite crystalline shape was carried out using X-ray diffraction method. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses indicate high thermal stability. SEM analysis showed mixed granular nature of the polymer–ceramic nanocomposites. EDX analysis shows the presence of Ti, C and N in composites. Cyclic voltammetric studies exhibit good adherent behaviour on the electrode surface at pH 1.0. It reveals the presence of oxidation peak at 0.417 V and reduction peak at 0.285 V. It has been observed that PAniTNC-modified GCE has good oxygen reduction ability, and also enhances methanol reduction.